The Leonard Family!

2012-01-15T11:03:00.001-05:00

Update finally on Alexander's blog! Click HERE for a direct link!

Moving along....

2011-12-08T14:48:00.001-05:00

Since receiving our LOA, things have been crazy and moving a lot faster...

As of today, our I-800 has been approved and was mailed off to us...

Once received, we submitted a copy of our approval to our agency along with our DS-230 form.

And we wait again...

Almost there...

We also "discovered" that Alexander has been moved from Hope in Beijing to Show Hope at his SWI in Jiaozuo City. While I am sure this must be so hard for him to understand, it just goes to show that they know we are coming ~ and soon...

LOA!!!!!!

2011-11-17T14:00:00.000-05:00

After eigth weeks + one day = our LOA arrived!!!!!!Still hoping, PRAYING and wishing for February 2012 travel....Only time will tell.....

{my only} Black Friday Memory...

2011-11-16T12:32:00.001-05:00

Seeing how we are still waiting on our LOA to arrive (any day now)...I am trying to keep myself "active" with other things online (and not do as much stalking as I have been). Anyway, while on facebook today, I saw this message posted to my wall. It was from my dear friend, Krista G and it goes like this...

"It's Black Friday....(use the first 10 friends on left side of your profile page)"

Steals from your cart as soon as your backs turned: (one of her friend's name)
Distract you so they can be first in line: (another friend's name)
Goes on an on about how everyone is childish: (another...)
Wants to go store to store: (another....)
Calls you at midnight to camp out at Walmart for sales: (another...)
Cries about the long lines: (another....)
Starts a fight over who got there first: (another....)
Gets a black eye because they got the last TV: (another....)
Goes to jail for fighting: Michelle Pompey Leonard
Sleeps through the whole event: (and now the last of the friend's names)

Just reading this had me laughing in tears! Because it is so true about little old me. Maybe that's one of the reasons why I don't go out on Black Friday or maybe it is because I am usually 100% done Christmas shopping by than (and even wrapped) but the whole Black Friday fun post did bring back on very sweet memory I had with my Grandmother (who passed away in June 2010) that is still making me smile and I so want to share with you all here....

(here was my reply to Krista on her facebook wall)

"Goes to jail for fighting" OMW that is so ME! I guess all I can say is...Thank the Heavens Above I am not one of those Black Friday shoppers! I can honestly say I only went once with my grandmother (when I was still living at home & in college) to get my mom "something" that was only a "Black Friday" sale. For the life of my, I can NOT remember what she wanted for her, but I do remember my Grandmother and I getting up at the 4AM to be at Kmart by 6AM...laughing the whole time we were there....went to breakfast at Dunkin Donuts...while we waited for my mom to leave for work so we could "hide" her gift we just purchased back at home. Just thinking about it brings a big smile to my face. Love you & MISS you so much Gram...."

While my Gram may not be with us/ME anymore, it is sweet memories like this that keep her alive and well loved within my heart!

PS ~ I also remember her and I searching the store for a shopping cart for about 45 minutes and nearly getting in a fight with someone when they tried to take the shopping cart my Grandma had her hands on first.

day 54....

2011-11-14T19:32:00.001-05:00

Well today was day 54 of waiting for our LOA....

and after calling our agency this afternoon...

I was informed nothing came in today.

So as this day comes to an end...

I am feeling sad, anxious, and I have truly become a stalker...

stalking all adoption related web sites...

and I think I am wearing out my refresher key on my laptop.

Oh this is maddening...

and it doesn't get any easier.

Trust me...

for this is our 4th adoption since we started paper chasing in the fall of 2004...

and it is not any easier.

Since I know you are all just dying to see a snap shot of our current (and soon-to-be) clan...

well here it goes...

And as I keep telling myself (as Scarlett O'Hara did in Gone With The Wind)"....Tomorrow is another day"

{{{{{{{{{{{{ ~ LID ~ }}}}}}}}}}}}

2011-09-24T11:00:00.002-05:00

LID!!!!

We are LID as of September 21st!

Received an email from our agency yesterday with the exciting news! Now we wait for LOA {which from what I am hearing can take up to 2 months...}

Hang on Alexander ~ we are coming!!!!!!

starting early...

2011-09-21T19:15:00.003-05:00

I have been eyeing up these dolls from Baby Be Blessed for....EVER!

I have been wanting to purchased two of them for the longest time....one for Francesca and one for Annabelle...

I searched all through the Bible to find the perfect verses that symbolizes each of our two girls individually....

And after two years of doing a lot of researching & changing my mind a 1000 times over on which doll to chose for each girl and the perfect verses ~ I FINALLY came up with the choices...

AND ~

Placed my order tonight for CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!

I think I am about to pee my pants from excitement!

way too long....

2011-09-20T19:09:00.003-05:00

Hi Everyone! I know ~ I know it has been forever since I last posted but things have been super busy & very exciting around here!

While I won't bore you all with every single detail...I will tell you that we were finally DTC for Alexander David on September 16th!!!!!

After what seems like ~ forever ~ we are HERE once again.

Now we wait...wait for {the next step} LID....

Baby Be Blessed....

2011-08-26T12:00:00.001-05:00

HUGE ~ SUMMER Jewelry SALE going on now....

2011-06-01T13:54:00.002-05:00

...at the STUDIO'S ETSY STORE!!!!

Many prices have been marked down over 50% off the original price!

Hurry for you will not want to miss out on this one HOT Summer Sale!

2011-05-26T12:55:00.000-05:00

Update on Alexander's web site!

Alexander Makes Six

ONLY THREE DAYS LEFT....

2011-05-22T11:38:00.005-05:00

{from May 1st to May 25th}

To kick off our newly updated studio's etsy page & our new Facebook fan page we are giving away THREE $25 gift certificates!

Here are the details ~

{to win the first $25 gift certificate} Anyone who click on the "Like" button located on the studio's FB Fan page will be entered in a drawing for a $25 gift certificate to use in the studio's etsy store! *link for FB fan page located on side bar*

{to win the second $25 gift certificate} Anyone who becomes a "follower" to this web site will be entered in a drawing for another $25 gift certificate to use in the studio's etsy store!

{to win the third $25 gift certificate} For every friend you refer to our Facebook Fan page AND our new web site (right here) will be entered in a drawing for another $25 gift certificate to use in the studio's etsy store!

That's THREE separate ways for you to win $25!!!!

and also...just for being such amazing and truly wonderful supporters to me {and the studio}

From May 1st to May 25th EVERYTHING is the studio's etsy store will be 25% off the original retail price! Just entered in the code 25forme during your checkout and you'll receive 25% off your total purchase!

(details on how this will all happen)

first $25 gift certificate ~ as for the our FB fan page, once you click "Like" you will automatically be entered ~

second $25 gift certificate ~ as for the our web site "follower" giveaway, once you become a follower you too will be automatically entered ~

third $25 gift certificate ~ to get the number of how many times you should be entered, just leave me a comment here at the end of this post telling me how many people you referred to BOTH of FB fan page and our web site. With that honest number listed, that's how many times you will be entered into the third drawing. If you post "anonymously" just make sure you leave me your first name with last initial and how I can reach you {if you are the winner}. It is that easy!

Drawing for all the giveaways will take place on June 2nd (if not sooner) and I will notified each winner by email & FB and I will be listing each winner here on this web site!

So please check back soon to see if you are one of the three winners for this amazing giveaways and new things that are coming this June!

Sincerely,
Shelly Pompey Leonard and Mei Faith Studio
www.meifaithstudio.blogspot.com

{{{{for a direct link to the studio's official web site click on the web address listed above or the link located on the left hand side of this blog!!!!}}}

What to win $75?

2011-05-21T05:30:00.003-05:00

Its as easy as clicking HERE

Time is running out ~ the amazing giveaway ends May 25th!

Go ahead and tell everyone you know because who won't love to win $75!

Oh my all those pretty EARRINGS on SALE!

2011-05-19T09:34:00.000-05:00

Head on over the Mei Faith Studio's etsy shop and you'll find a HUGE SALE going on with all earrings listed! Seeing how summer is the time to be wearing your hair up {or short} I thought having an earring sale should get this summer season started a bit sooner than scheduled (and I think we all deserve some of that)!

And please don't forget about receiving an additional 25% off your total purchase just by using code 25FORME during your checkout for some extra special savings! Hurry because this extra savings won't last long...

{{{25FORME sale will be ending May 25th}}}

{it all started with a month free coupon...}

2011-05-15T09:12:00.000-05:00

My baby started taking karate classes about 2 months ago...

Never thinking she would actually love doing it...(seeing how I am very thrifty - the reason why she signed up in the first place was because of a coupon she received {as a Valentine} which offered one month free)...but she does!

Fast forward to Friday, May 13th...

My baby was able to break a wooden board with her left foot {and please note she is right handed}...

And for that big accomplishment...

She advanced to GOLD belt status!!!!!

According to Francesca ~ she wants to take this "all the way" and seeing how she has another 12 belts to go where she wants to go...We'll be taking advancing tests just like this one ~ a lot!

Congratulations my baby girl! I am so proud of you! You worked so hard and take each & every one of your classes very seriously but at the same time just love them! Rock on Francesca ~ rock on!

(this is a photo taken with Master James {one of Francesca fav instructors)

(and this photo was taken with the head instructor, Master Matt)

And since I just couldn't end this post without showing you all some of the fancy moves she learned in just a short amount of time....this one is for you!

and while the photos isn't the best ~ this mama could not be prouder!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

2011-05-08T05:30:00.001-05:00

Seriously what can be better than getting a few photos of your precious little man who is waiting for his mommy, daddy, two sisters and brother half way around the world!

{just look at that face!}

THANK YOU Jen for making this Mother's Day extra special!

Running Of The Roses GIVEAWAY and FEATURED SALE!

2011-05-05T05:30:00.001-05:00

What to get in on a giddy up giveaway {in honor of the 137th renewal of The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports}!!!!

Visit the Studio's web site for details...

I promise, you won't want to miss out on this!

and...

There is a HUGE SALE on all the studio's bracelets that are featured on etsy! Add on another 25% off the already discounted price and that's one BIG SAVINGS!

{code to use during checkout after your purchase for the additional 25% is 25FORME}

{as promise...}

2011-05-03T08:56:00.005-05:00

While I have been going crazy with trying to get our social worker to wrap up our home study report (so we can send it in along with our application to USCIS) for Alexander's adoption...

I have also been very busy trying my best to promote the studio's etsy shop & FB page! So far ~ so good but I have been investing a lot of time into it ~ but I am not complaining for it is something I have been wanting to do for some time now...

Anyway, here are a few photos I want to share with you all of the kiddos! With school almost over, summer will be here before we know it and than it is going to be outside enjoying the sun, beach vacations, weekends away, and just enjoying time as a family!

So without keeping you any longer ~ here they are!

Our weekend with Grandma C and Papa!

(yep that's me trying to round up the kiddos for a photo and while it is not the best photo, I just had to share it all with you because I love the way my Dad is holding onto his granddaughter!)

Now onto Annabelle's 4th Birthday Celebration!

and last but not least...

Something new coming to my etsy store ~ very soon! For details click HERE

25 DAYS of GIVEAWAYS & DISCOUNTS!

2011-05-01T07:17:00.002-05:00

For DETAILS & CHANCES click HERE

and ~

For MORE CHANCES & DETAILS to get in on these amazing giveaways and sale also click HERE

Let's kick off this beautiful season ~ together ~ one artistic expression at a time!

busy.

2011-04-29T13:42:00.002-05:00

I have been very busy indeed.

Between Benjamin's 3rd surgery...

Easter...

Annabelle's 4th Birthday...

and

The GRAND OPENING of my improved etsy shop and the Studio's web site...

Life has been very busy!

So please won't you all come & join along in this crazy creative world I have worked so hard on over the past few months.

With Much love,
Shelly

***I do have a ton of photos that were taken over the past month that I plan on sharing with you all within the next few posts!***

{spending the day in Georgetown}

2011-04-03T18:57:00.000-05:00

speaking of names...

2011-03-26T22:45:00.000-05:00

Do you know how Alexander David Zhe got his name...

It is really not that long of a story but it took me forever to decide.

Seeing how Keith picked Benjamin James for our Benjamin, it was now my turn...

And within seconds of seeing his face, I said the name Alexander.

Now, I did have a ton of girls name ready for if we got a referral but not one boys...
(even though I knew if it was going to happen it would be another little boy)

So with that said, Alexander got put "on the back burner".

Oh I had other names...Julian Michael, Michael Julian, Theodore Wilson and Vincent Michael, but I just couldn't get Alexander off my mind and seeing how it was truly the first name I {boys} name I thought of and said out loud as soon as I saw his precious tiny face ~ Alexander David {just because it sounds pretty together} Zhe {part of his Chinese name} Leonard it was.

{nicknames}

2011-03-22T22:35:00.000-05:00

OK ~ we all have them!

Keith's is Keithie Honey or Babe {and for anyone who has been around us knows these two all too well}

mine ~ well that's an easy one ~ Shelly

Francesca's was Sweet Potato Eater {because we were told she loved sweet potatoes in her referral file which is so not true} so it quickly became Pumpkin Eater {and just for the record she doesn't like pumpkin either I just think it sounds more adorable}

Annabelle's is Tootsie Roll {because she is brown on the outside but sweet in the inside}

Benjamin's is {he has a few} Bennie, Benji and Butch {not sure where the Butch came from but that's what I call him}

Now as for our newest addition...

Alexander

I so far only have two...Alex and Bubba {yes you read that correctly Bubba - it was what I called him before I decided on a name}

So there you have it ~ our family's nicknames!

While we are all thinking about Spring coming....

2011-03-19T20:51:00.000-05:00

I am still trying to catch up to what's current!

Here are a few photos that we taken this past December when we took the Polar Express to see Santa! We all had a great time ~ despite how cold it was!

Francesca and Auntie enjoying some goodies while we travel to the North Pole!

Look at the precious face! He loved every bit of meeting Santa himself!

Grandma and Francesca!

Oh our sweet & spicy Annabelle!

And last but not least a surprise photo taken of me with my little man! Now the best photo but what do you expect when your husband has the camera!

{a book and a phone ~ need I say more}

2011-03-11T20:50:00.000-05:00

a Gingerbread House & a Christmas Tree

2011-03-08T08:43:00.000-05:00

{Papa and Grandma C}

2011-03-03T08:38:00.000-05:00

This was a photo that was taken at Christmas time when Papa and Grandma C came for a visit! Oh how our kiddos love them so ~ and I do believe my Dad & stepmom are just as smitten with them too!

{priceless moments to remember with Annabelle}

2011-02-27T08:01:00.000-05:00

Annabelle is truly our sweet & spicy little girl!

She is doing very well at preschool (and will be starting PreK this coming fall) and she just loves going!

As I see my baby growing and changing, I just knew I wanted to write down a few things she has said over the past couple of months.

Here are just a few....

{one evening while I was cleaning up from supper, Annabelle and Benjamin were playing with their doll strollers around the kitchen area...and this is what I heard her say} "Come on Benjamin, we have to get to CVS for I need some Fleet enemas and tampons!" {yep that's our house, fleet enemas and tampons about sums it up}

{one afternoon, Benjamin and Annabelle were playing with their toy cars in the dining room area as I was in the kitchen doing some paper work and I could hear her say to him...} "Benjamin, go get that car and Jesus Christ! Benjamin, that one & Jesus Christ!" While she said, Jesus Christ plain as day, I just had to ask, "Annabelle, what did you just say?" And she repeated it all word for word to me. While I knew exactly where she heard that from, I just had to ask..."Annabelle, where did you ever hear about Jesus Christ in a car?" Her reply, "Whenever we are with Daddy and he is driving, he is always waving at all the others car saying Jesus Christ." I quickly explained to her that what Daddy was doing was so very wrong and we should never use Jesus' name in that matter. Once that was over, I called Keith....

~ and last but not least ~

{the other day Annabelle came home with a painting she did at school...when I asked her what it was she said...} "It's a picture of you Mommy! See that's you face, your belly, your legs and in the middle there that's your virginia!"

Oh our sweet & spicy Annabelle! How you showed me how I could love another child just as much as I love my first. For my little shadow who always chooses me! For my BIG helper ~ who is always helping me with Benjamin. And for being the best younger sister to Francesca and an amazing older sister to Benjamin ~ you are truly my mini-me!

What's New & Exciting!

2011-02-20T19:00:00.000-05:00

Click HERE and you'll soon found out!

Where O Where...

2011-02-18T18:53:00.006-05:00

Have I've been...

BUSY! VERY BUSY!

And soon you will all know why!

(for those of you who are 'my friend' on facebook, you already know)

I am waiting to tell two very important people in my life the big news before announcing IT here!

They are in Florida this weekend for the big race...so it will have to wait until Monday.

Anyway has it really been since December that I posted?

Oh I have become one of those bad bloggers.

But I am going to make up for that ~ starting now!

Let's see if I can recap the past the 9 weeks...

We rang in the NEW YEAR at Grandma's in NEPA!

We all had a blast during our extended vacation at Disney World this past January!

While at Disney, I decided to purchased into Disney's Vacation Club!

(and yes I am already planning our next trip)

When we returned home {during an ice/snow storm), we lost complete power in our home for four days....that's right FOUR LONG DAYS...no power, no water, no heat, no tv...nothing!

Let's just say by day three, I was NOT happy ~ at all.

We celebrated Chinese New Year this year at home with our traditional meal ~ homemade Fettuccine Alfredo, oranges and olive oil, and garlic bread! I have been making it since CNY 2006 when we celebrated Francesca's first CNY with us!

My mom and aunt came down for a visit for a few days!

Benjamin had his 2nd post-op appointment with the surgeon and Annabelle had he first.

(it is looking like our sweet & spicy Annabelle will be next in line for bowel surgery which part one is scheduled for March 29th)

We celebrated Valentine's day with tons of candy, a few valentines, and a date lunch with just Keith and me!

(oh ya and supper out with the whole family)

As Francesca's home room mom, I have been doing a lot of volunteering at her school and I am just loving it!

I also was able to reconnect with a few good friends over the past few weeks as well!

(Krista, Kelly, Sandy, Sara and Lori - just to name a few)

~ and ~

I was able to help four families by explaining our lives, living with three children with severe bowel conditions!

And last but not least, I finally got Benjamin's paper work all ready and submitted for his US passport.

Yep, that's most of it!

So now that I bored you all with those silly details of our life over the past 9 weeks, here are a few photos of the kiddos that were taken over that time! Enjoy!!!!

{a few photos from our trip to Disney}

High Tea with just us girls at the Grand Floridian....

{Grandma & Francesca}

The girls truly loved it ~ as we {Grandma & me} did too!

Keith wearing all three kddos 3D glasses {just before entering "It's a Bug Life}!

Breakfast with Pooh and his friend!

Mickey & Minnie!

Sleeping Beauty on the Tea Cups!

Did I ever mention to you all how much this little boy has rocked my world!

{with Thumper & Miss Bunny!}

{and my favorite ~ Mulan}

{back to those 3D bug glasses}

Francesca aka Bettie Shorepaddler as the pirate princess

{Annabelle was Kelly Ropewalker but I am saving that photo for another post)

We celebrated Francesca's 6th birthday while at Disney! At first glance I wasn't too sure if I was going to keep this one, but as soon as I saw my mom's face I knew I had to (she is truly crazy about her grandchildren)!

Kiddos with Alice!

And finally I just had to add this one as well! I swear, she just takes my breath away.

So there you have it! I think I am on the road to recovery for lack of posts!

MERRY CHRISTMAS...

2010-12-23T06:53:00.001-05:00

From Our Family to Yours!

Love, The Leonard's
Keith, Shelly, Francesca, Annabelle and Benjamin

{first school dance for Francesca}

2010-12-20T06:43:00.000-05:00

OK seriously ~ when did my baby get to the point where she was able to go to a school dance on a Friday night {no less}! It is true! And she had a wonderful time! Her friend, Kyra (along with her Mom, Dad, twin brother and older brother) invited to take Francesca with them to the big school dance that happen this past October! She excitedly left the safe haven of our home around 6:30PM and returned full of giggles and smiles promptly at 8:45PM! She has a great time and we are truly thankful for the Walsh family for inviting her!

According to Mama Walsh, the kiddos had a great time and danced their hearts out!

As for me, I didn't expect anything less!

{happen to find}

2010-12-16T06:39:00.000-05:00

Can't you just eat him up! I mean seriously...I am guessing that Keith took these photos for when I went to download our Halloween ones from our stay at Children's I found these!

Oh I can't begin to tell you all how this little boy has touched my heart and opened my eyes to so much more....

Halloween at Children's Hospital!

2010-12-13T06:27:00.000-05:00

This was how we celebrated Halloween this past year! Why it wasn't exactly how anyone had visioned this year's custom display ~ we truly made the best of it and had a wonderful time!

We were able to get Benjamin out of his bed (for the first time) and lay him in a pillow lined wagon and do a bit of trick & treating around his floor!

Both kiddos had a blast!

{Francesca's school party was the same day as the hospital's party ~ a HUGE THANK YOU to Grandma for she substituted for me that day as the classroom mom!}

Where do I begin...

2010-12-09T09:09:00.005-05:00

So much has happened since my last post...

(at Halloween) Benjamin had his first surgery {spinal} at Children's Hospital in Washington DC and after an almost week's stay at the hospital and a post op follow up with our neurosurgeon, he is doing very well. It is seriously possible that he will require further surgery on his spine in the future, but for now all is good!

While Benjamin was in the hospital recovering, our 4-legged buddy, Honey Bear, who has been with Keith & I since we were dating (14 years ago) past away...He will always be remembered and we are still missing him so very much...(btw ~ he was our first offical adoption at age 2)

We are currently getting ready for Benjamin's next surgery {recto-urethral fistula and part one of his bowel repair} which will take place next week. After his surgery, Benjamin will be placed on a colostomy bag but we do not know how long.

Here at Casa De Leonard, we are also getting ready for the Christmas Season, a New Year's Holiday at Grandma's and our second 2 week vacation in January in Disney World for Francesca's 6th Birthday!

As many of you know, Francesca started Kindergarten this past September and Annabelle started Preschool! Francesca and Annabelle (both) love school and their teachers. Francesca has started an after school program one day a week for singing & dancing as well as joined our local Girl Scout Daisy troop here in Derwood. Annabelle is still my "spicy" little girl who has taken it as your objective to show "guidence' to Benjamin for everything. Those two {A&B} are still our "Frick & Frack" and the best of buds!

and...

(last but not least) Keith and I have realized that "the door" to adoption was NOT locked but only closed and after pulling very hard on that door's handle, it has once again opened for us and we have submitted a new MCC to our agency for the Special Focus Program. While we are not 100% sure if we will get a referral, we are 100% ready to make this party of five a six pack! And what totally sweetened the deal {for us} was when my dear, loving, and amazing girlfriend, Miss Sara from Football & Fried Rice offered to come with me during the travel for our newest addition!!! Seeing how we would have three little ones at home, Keith and I know it would be pretty much impossible for both of us to travel so when I mention my concerns to Miss Sara, she quickly jumped on board 100% willing to help out in any way she can and offered to come with me! How sweet is that!

So as you can see, things have been very busy for us here in DC land! I do have a few more photos I want to share with you all and I hoping that over the next two weeks I can get some up and posted! So please check back for further cuteness!

Happy 3rd Birthday Benjamin ~ October 15, 2010

2010-10-18T19:29:00.000-05:00

As you can see (for the many photos displayed below)...

Benjamin truly had a wonderful 3rd birthday celebration!

Nothing like having your own cake to kick off our Friday night party!

Than getting the chance to eat it all...by...yourself!

{I swear I could just eat him up!}

Nothing better ~ right...

Except for celebrating your 3rd birthday with your two favorite little people...

Because of course Annabelle LOVED the cupcakes...

As well as Francesca did...

That I made just for them {seeing how their brother had his very own cake}!

Next it was PRESENT TIME!

And it didn't take Benjamin long to understand the meaning of the word "PRESENTS" (thanks to his two older & wiser sisters)

With a little bit of help from the both of them....

He was able to find what exactly was in that gift bag!

Nothing like a pair of bubble guns and....

And a Thomas The Train book....

To get this PRESENT thing started!

(that were all hand picked by both Annabelle & Francesca)

Next was our gift to him...

What could it be?

Seeing how we have a TON of girlie stuff in our house...we needed something "manly"!

{we couldn't have him playing with purses, high heels, and doll strollers all the time}

So after asking Keith what he thinks we should get him...

Only one BIG YELLOW thing came to mind...

And with a few clicks on my computer and an order with Amazon.com...

We got our little guy the perfect gift!

Just look at that smile...

and oh those little feet...

Benjamin is LOVING his new Big Yellow TONKA Truck!

(as the girls are loving it too!)

That was all on Friday night (the actual night of his birthday)...

Next came Saturday's celebration when Papa and Grandma C showed up...

Bringing a few gifts as well....

And what little boy doesn't LOVE his very own ATV!

Again that smile of his is saying it all!

{{{another update on Benjamin's blog posted}}}

2010-10-12T13:16:00.001-05:00

Click HERE for Phrase One post

After everything that has happened, we finally are getting some answers and have our first surgery scheduled for the end of this month...

All snug as Buzz in their beds....

2010-10-10T13:03:00.001-05:00

Finally ~ after over a year since moving to our new home in the beautiful suburbs of Washington DC...

We finally got around to purchasing and organizing the tribe's bedroom!

Seeing how Francesca wanted to stay sleeping with her younger sister and brother (she did have the option of her own room), we decided to go with a neutral theme...

And Toy Story/Buzz Lightyear won by unanimous votes!

We still have to get the Buzz Lightyear curtains hung and I am on the hunt for a Toy Story Music Box as well ~ but for now ~ it is mostly complete!

{{{and much better than living out of boxes and mixed match beds & bedding}}}

Francesca, Benjamin and Annabelle (exactly how they chosen their beds)

Just look at those smiles ~ they melt this momma heart every.single.time.

some major cuteness!

2010-10-07T20:04:00.000-05:00

This is our "Double Trouble"! Can you believe that these two are only 6 months apart in age...?

While our little Primo is very tiny for his age, his brain truly functions like the average almost 3 year old!

(he will be turning three on October 15th!)

What we have been up to...

2010-10-03T11:47:00.004-05:00

Click HERE for our new post Twists & Turns

{{{I so wanted to try and post this again, but I just can't. Just proof reading it has me shaking once again. It is an update on where we are at with Benjamin's medical care...Just warning you ~ it is a long post}}}

{{{{backin up here a bit}}}} Annabelle's First Day of Preschool!

2010-09-30T07:58:00.000-05:00

I still can't believe that my sweet and spicy Annabelle started preschool on September 15th!

Where did that time go...

The first two days were extremely hard for her and she cried (as I did too)

BUT

By day three, she (and I) were doing great and she is LOVING her new school (while I still miss her like crazy).

Now it is just me and my Primo - unitl next year's school season...

{after 11 years of marriage}

2010-09-25T07:55:00.002-05:00

We are so truly blessed and extremely in love...!

And three kiddos later ~ as my dear husband is always saying ~ We still 'got it'!

5 kiddos +1 weekend = 100% FUN

2010-09-16T15:09:00.000-05:00

{{{{more photos from our Labor Day weekend with The Fitch Family}}}}

OK here was our attempt to get a photo of all our kiddos over Labor Day weekend!

With one 5 years old, two 3 years olds, one 2 years old, and one 14 month old...Getting everyone to smile ~ at the same time ~ AND looking directly at you ~ wasn't easy....

BUT

We sure had fun trying!!!!

Labor Day Weekend!

2010-09-13T14:46:00.000-05:00

Last weekend we had a HUGE surprise!

Our AMAZING friends ~ The Fitch Family {Al, Lori, Hannah, and Sophia} came down for a visit!

Needless to say, we all had a WONDERFUL time!!!!!

{{{{can't wait to see them again in October!!!!}}}}

{just photos}

2010-09-11T20:45:00.000-05:00

me and MY KIDDOS!!!!!!

2010-09-09T07:14:00.001-05:00

Just a rare photo taken of me and MY KIDDOS on our way out the door {to have supper} at OutBacks's!

It was a day I felt fully refreshed and ready to take on...anything!

See, earlier that day that my sweet husband arrived home around 1PM (instead of his usually 5PM) and sent me to the SPA for an afternoon of peace and quiet...

Seriously ~ does it get any better ~ I don't think so...

Anyway that quiet afternoon at the spa did rejuvenated me enough to take on a busy night out with all of us at OutBacks's!

{{{{just don't tell me sweet husband that I would have went out to supper anyway ~ spa or no spa}}}}

Our Precious Little Man

2010-09-07T07:29:00.000-05:00

It has been almost two months since we arrived home as a Family of Five! In my opinion, these past two months has just flown by. Already school has started for Francesca (Kindergarten) and Annabelle will be starting Preschool on the 15th. Where did our summer go...

When I look back, I realize that so much has happened over this past summer. Back in the beginning of June, my very loving grandmother {aka G.G.} passed away. While the news was heart-wrenching, we knew it was only a matter of time before she was called back home. The day before she passed away, we found out from our agency that we would be traveling for our Benjamin within the next 2-3 weeks. Well, we left for China on the 23rd of June and didn't return home until July 10th.

Once we did return home, it seems like everything has been "out of our control".

First off, when I tried to add Benjamin to our health insurance policy, our provider gave us major problems and set backs. After three weeks of battling with them, we finally received notice that he would be added!

-but during this time -

We were rushed from one doctor's office to another to seek out the best medical treatment for our son.

After several visits, and too many to count conversations with our Pediatrician, Dr Cindy Fishman (who we all just love) and one of the top pediatric surgeons of the Washington DC area, Dr David Powell, we all decided that Children's of Washington DC Hospital was the best choice for our son.

So the appointments began...

And we were told that according to the information provided and from what we are all seeing, Benjamin's fistula problems was never corrected and from this he could be experiencing some major health problems...problems with his bowels, problems with his GI system, problems with his spine, a possibility of dwarfism, and most of all problems with his kidneys....worried that if he gets a kidney infection (because of the poop that is still passing through his kidneys) ~ his kidneys WILL shut down. Currently he is one medication to try to prevent this but nothing is full proof.

Since getting this news, our precious little boy has spent a night in Children's emergency room due to a 103.6 fever that we could not get down. Finally after a day of tests, consultations, and prayer - Benjamin's fever broke and we were sent home.

- but -

As we wait for more tests to be ordered, we find ourselves at the mercy of our insurance carrier to approve this tests.

So for now, we are sitting and waiting.

We are currently giving him Fleet enemas every night to try and clean out some of the poop that can NOT pass (it was discovered that his rectum is extremely smaller than normal size) through his rectum. If this doesn't work, he will be given a colostomy bag...which will be in his near future regardless seeing how he will be having surgery to correct his multiple fistulas. We are still not sure of when the surgery will take place but I am sure it will be soon.

As all of this was being "thrown our way" our bond as a family of five has grown extremely strong! Annabelle is loving the fact of having a little brother (to boss around) and she and Benjamin are known in our household as "Frick & Frack" because you rarely see one and not the other. Francesca is loving the fact of being the Big Sis in the house and she has truly been a HUGE help to me with the two younger ones.

So now that I have filled you all in on what's been going on with our little man ~let me share a few photos with you all!

Isn't he just so handsome!

I mean ~ seriously ~ I could just eat him up!

And those tiny {very tiny} toes...A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E!

2010-09-03T14:27:00.000-05:00

While I am no professional or even an experienced photographer, I do LOVE taking photographs! Back in July, the kiddos and I were invited to Brookside Gardens to see their amazing Butterfly Exhibit ~ and while I wasn't 100% sure about venturing out with three kiddos for the first time on my own - I did.

Thank You Kelly, Jameson & Elise for inviting us along! We sure all had a wonderful time!!!!

First Day of School {for Francesca}

2010-09-01T17:48:00.004-05:00

I know it has been ~ forever ~ since I last posted to our blog but that is all about to change....

While I do have a few posts waiting to be published, I am going to start with the most recent...

Our oldest Francesca 1st Day of School at Kindergarten! (which was August 30th)

Where did the time go...

Last thing I remembered was her being placed in my arms in a extremely crowded room in Nanchang Jiangxi Province China back in November of 2005...

I can't believe that she is this little lady that stands before us all today!

She truly had an amazing first day of school (while this Mama did not) and she has been super excited about going back - ever since (while this mama is still having a hard time letting go)...

Enjoying her breakfast before the big day!

Daddy even went into work late that day just so he could see his baby girl get on the BIG yellow bus...

Grandma even came in for the BIG day!

And while we waited for our time to come to venture outside for that BIG yellow bus, I decided to draw matching hearts on Francesca's and my hand :-)

As mention before, school and yes even that BIG yellow bus have been a success!

And while I do have so much more to share with you all {about our amazing beach vacation, our newest addition Benjamin, Benjamin medical status, and life as a family of five} I am going to have to save that for another day...

Leaving on June 23rd!

2010-06-16T08:03:00.002-05:00

So much has happened over the past three weeks that I don't know where to begin...

But seeing how I am not ready ~ quite yet ~ to express everything that we have personally been going through here, there is one thing I do want to share with you all...WE WILL BE LEAVING FOR CHINA ON JUNE 23RD!!!! That means one week from today we will be on a plane forward bound for Beijing!!!!

As many of you know, I will NOT be posting to this web site while in China. About 9 months ago, I did set up a web site for our Benjamin so I can document anything & everything I needed to about his adoption. You can find a direct link located on our side bar on this blog ~ in case you don't have it!

I truly hope that each & every one of you do follow us along in what most likely will be our final adoption journey to China. I could have never made it this far without all of your support, love, and understanding. Please join us along as we are finally united with our son!

TA! YEAH!!!! WE GOT OUR TA!!!!!!!!!

2010-06-03T13:18:00.000-05:00

For all of you who have been following us along in our journey to our son Benjamin, as of 1:18PM today, we received notice from our adoption agency that our "Travel Approval" arrived at their office! Next step is to wait for confirmed CA {Consulate Appointment} so we can officially book our airplane tickets! As soon as I have our confirmed travel & consulate dates, I will share them all with you here!!!!

Please remember that when we are in China, I or Miss Sara (Love You Girlfriend) will be posting to Benjamin's designated web site! For a direct link, please click HERE!!!!!

Yo-Ho Yo-Ho A Pirate's Life For Me...

2010-05-24T07:34:00.000-05:00

OK...Many of you know that we are true Disney Fans! Never thought I would actually be saying that out loud ~ it let alone post it, but here we are! I always did like the "big mouse" but it wasn't until the girls came into our lives that I truly understood what Disney and all its magic means...

Even though we are currently getting ready for our next China journey to bring home our Benjamin (praying for our travel to happen this June), the girls are also gearing up for our next Disney vacation again this January. I know ~ it seems like such a long time from now, but seeing how my sister & I plan every.single.detail. so we can get the most out of our 12 days there, our house {and phone conversations} are already buzzing!

now with Disney in mind...

It seems lately the girls favorite song from anything Disney is ~ "Yo-Ho Yo-Ho A Pirate's Life For Me"! They have been playing & singing it so much I think the song is embedded into my brain...And ever since they got this very colorful and fun parrot hat from Aunt Lisa & Uncle Scott, the song has taken on a whole new meaning ~ especially for our Annabelle! Because according to her it is her "pirate hat".

Isn't it just too funny!

I mean check out the size of that hat!

Apparently, Annabelle thinks it is funny too!

Yep ~ this crazy & true Disney fan family will be headed out once again to the place "Where dreams do come true"...

"Thinking of..." Black & White Wednesday

2010-05-19T05:00:00.004-05:00

I know it has been some time since I last posted to Lisa's amazing Black & White Wednesday, but in all defense...I have been busy (and a little crazy at times too)! As many of you know, we are getting ready to travel once again to China for our third child ~ our first son! And while I do see my world of dolls, dress-up, and pretend make-up soon to be including Hot Wheels, bubble guns, race tracks, and insect houses ~ I am loving everything about it!

I never imagined myself having a little boy...

Well ~ almost never...

Back many moons ago before I even thought adoption was possible for us ~ for me....

I was so sure that if God blessed me with a baby, that baby would be a boy. I used to think about boys names constantly ~ Micheal Kristopher, Kristopher Joseph, Joshua Micheal, Kevin Randy, and Randy Kevin...well you get the idea...(I explain later about the name choices)...

As you can see, our family did not start off by having a little boy but was truly blessed by adopting a baby girl from China and seeing how I had no girls names in mind, I had to come up with something quickly.

I do believe many of you know how I got Francesca's name. It is really simple. I wanted an Italian name for my daughter. Coming from a family of 100% Italian blood flowing through our veins, I knew I wanted my daughter to become a part of our very rich and proud heritage! My mom, grandmother and I started playing the name game...Stelina, Carmela, Antonella, Bianca, Caterina, Nicolina (after my grandmother) and Chiara...but none of theses names felt like the perfect one for our perfect daughter. Than one night while flipping through the channels on our TV, I came across the movie, "Under The Tuscan Sun" which only started about five minutes prior to me coming across it. Having seen this movie before and truly enjoying it, I put down the remote and started watching it ~ once again ~ for probably the 15th time. As many of you know, the main character of the movie name was Frances. So when she decided to restart her life and move from the states to Italy, her name quickly changed from Frances to Francesca. I so can remember the exact point in the movie where her name is being called out, "Francesca!" It was at that moment I knew what I wanted my daughter's name to be.

As for our Annabelle ~ that is really simple. Her unknown and amazing sponsor while she was at Hope in Beijing was responsable for the funding her life saving surgery. Her sponsor named her Annabelle Faith and seeing how we are so beyond grateful to this unknown person, we just had to keep her name given to her by this blessed angel.

Now getting back to our little man....

It's not that I never imagined being blessed with a little boy, but after traveling down the roads that we did to get where were, our two girls were all I ever thought we would be blessed with.

And as you all know...that one year ago this past month on May 4, 2009 that all changed for us.

We were asked to review a file on a very special little boy in Luoyang City Children's Welfare, Henan Province, China and within minutes of seeing his face and reading his history, we said YES!!!

a little boy from China....

So that leads me to where I am at today ~ thinking of China once again. Our travel time is coming up fast, for I am thinking we will be traveling sometime in June and getting a family of four ready to travel for over two weeks to country that is half way around the world is not easy...let alone packing for number five.

This is a photo that Keith took when we visited the Summer Palace back in 2008 (when we traveled for our Annabelle). It is also one of the photos I was able to save from my crashed notebook. After tweeking it up just a bit and changing it from color to black & white, I knew it was the perfect photo for me to share with you all today of where we are headed...

and just so I can show off some of Keith's amazing photography here is the original photo that was taken...

So there you have your answer ~ this is what I am "thinking of..."

(if you are interested in learning more about our little man who is waiting for us in China and would like to follow along in our journey this coming summer, please visit his web site.)

Now as for those boys names...I wanted the name Micheal for he would be named after the little boy my grandmother lost some many years ago. As for Kristopher, Joseph, and Joshua, they are just some names that I loved and as for Kevin and Randy...My husband Keith is an identical twin. His brother's name is Russell. When the twins were born, four names were tossed around...Keith, Kevin, Russell, and Randy. Keith & Russell where the chosen names so in honer of those two names that could have been ~ they too were in the running. But seeing how we chosen Benjamin ~ none of those names were the perfect choice for our little man.

Make sure you check out all the truly talented photographers that feature their personal breath-taking B&W photos on Lisa's Black & White Wednesday! And if you have a black & white to share with everyone else, please do so on her web site!

Article 5 (our second LOA)

2010-05-13T12:18:00.002-05:00

YES ~ finally after what seemed like ~ forever ~ we received word today from our agency that our Article 5 has been picked our by their rep in Guangzhou at the US Consulate and it is currently on its way to be delivered to the CCAA in Beijing! Once all the paper work is reviewed by the CCAA, China will than issue us our TA (travel approval)!

Yes...we are almost there...

As for the home front, life is busy.

Between, shopping for Benjamin, shopping for the girls (both~mostly for China), shopping for all the other essentials we need for China, cooking my butt off so I can pack my two freezers so I don't have to cook once we get home, working on our Visas (yes they should of had been done by now), getting our home in PA on the market, planning our next BIG Disney vacation for January (the last time we were there for almost two weeks and this time I am thinking we'll be there a few days longer...) and just all the other normal ins & outs that many of us deal with every day...there is never enough time for me to do what I would like to do...

I am really hoping that once we return from China...life as I know it will return...

Anyway, here's praying that we receive our TA in 2 weeks rather than 4...sigh

Annabelle's 3rd Birthday Celebration!!!!

2010-05-02T11:39:00.000-05:00

April 28, 2010

Annabelle's 3rd Birthday Celebration!

Happy Birthday to Our Sweet & Spicy Little Girl ~ We Love & Adore You So Very Much...

Just a quick post here to let my family & friends know that I have not disappeared. Things have been crazy ~ once again ~ in the Leonard household. With summer approaching so very fast as well as our possible travel to China for our darling son, Benjamin...my to-do list appears to be never-ending {sigh}. I have been trying my best to keep you all updated on Benjamin's web site with all the ins & outs of where we are at. It is now looking like we will be traveling some time this coming June...

As for life here, we are getting ready for Francesca to start Kindergarten (can you hear me whimpering because I am not taking it well...) and Annabelle to start Preschool this coming fall as well as traveling for our little man. We truly have so much to be thankful for and know how much we have been blessed with...

HUGE SALE and...

2010-04-18T13:47:00.002-05:00

I am once again featuring a HUGE SALE on all of the studio's pieces listed on etsy! Seeing how summer is approaching us - very quickly - and we are getting ready to travel for third child, first son in about 8 weeks (give or take), I truly felt it necessary to offer to each & every one of you some amazing rock bottom prices on some rockin jewelry!

Onto other news, I have listed another update on our Benjamin's blog today! If you get a chance, go over and check it out!

I know I have a lot of catching up to do with so many blogs out there! I am planning on taking some time out this week to see what you all have been up to...(can't wait!)

I am also taking a breather from blogging here on this blog until next week. The past few weeks' posts have been all scheduled and seeing how I am trying to finish up my spring cleaning, get our yard ready for summer, working on some new jewelry pieces to be placed at a few boutiques in & around the DC area for this upcoming fall as well as my etsy shop, and just trying to keep up with all that Benjamin's adoption is requiring me to do (this Hague adoption stuff is cRaZy)...I just need a little bit of a break here. I hope you all understand. {not to mention that my notebook has a mind of its own sometimes and whenever I want to do something important on it...it is not letting me...think I need to look into getting a new computer ~ and soon}

Hope you all are having a great weekend and I can't wait to catch up with you all sometime this week!!!!!

a photo from Keith's iphone

2010-04-16T18:14:00.002-05:00

This photo was taken last summer while we were visiting our new neighbors' house with Keith's iPhone. I came across it when I was editing a few other photos for printing. I thought...since I got a good laugh out of it...you might too!

{btw ~ our new neighbors are actually Keith's boss Jim and his wife Suzanne}

Still...

2010-04-12T16:16:00.002-05:00

shopping for Christmas!

I know call me cRaZy ~ but as I said before, I must start NOW!

And why not...

there are really some amazing sales out there!

I found this adorable set of dolls from "The Princess and The Frog"!

Which happens to be Annabelle's favorite movie!

So when I found this set on amazon at an incredible price of under $20 {plus free shipping}, I quickly ordered them for her!

I truly think she is just going to LOVE them! For Annabelle is very much so into playing with dolls and having her very own Princess Tiana & Charlotte doll is truly going to be the highlight of her coming Christmas!

All wrapped up...

2010-04-08T15:00:00.001-05:00

and having fun at Grandma's!

Can she get any more adorable ~ even with that big red bow on her head!!!!

Black & White Wednesday {inside the box}

2010-04-07T06:00:00.002-05:00

OK...Most of us heard the saying, think outside of the box...

right?

Right.

Well...

have you ever heard, talk while siting in the box?

Probably not, but I have picture proof that it does exist!

And here to prove that talking while sitting in the box does exists is our Francesca {in black & white}!

This is what I found Francesca doing one afternoon while talking on the phone with Grandma! She is truly a "character" and when I asked her what she was doing she just looked at me & said, "I am talking to Grandma." Gotta love that crazy girl of mine!

{there+that=totally adorable}

2010-04-04T09:00:00.002-05:00

A Weekend At Grandma's + A Brand New Snuggie = One Sleeping Beauty!

Play Foam!

2010-04-02T14:17:00.002-05:00

This is what Francesca made the other day while "playing" with her play foam!

That's my little artistic girl!

Black & White Wednesday ~ Friends {part two}

2010-03-31T06:00:00.004-05:00

Friends.

Even at the ripe old age of "almost three", these two understand the meaning of friends.

This adorable little girl featured here with our Annabelle is Hannah. She is Lori's daughter. And seeing how close Lori & I are, it is only understandable that these two girls became dear friends as well...

Yes - I am starting...already!

2010-03-29T20:52:00.004-05:00

That is Christmas shop for 2010!

Call me crazy, but we tend to exchange gifts with a lot of family & friends (not to mention our own kiddos) that I have to start shopping ~ early.

I usually start on the 26th...of December...but seeing how we went to Disney World in January, I just didn't find the time (or energy) to do so...

So I started picking up little things here & there for our family & friends that we exchange with.

Seeing how I will have to Christmas shop for TWELVE kiddos this year, I needed to start now!

It is amazing what FABULOUS Sales are going right now!

One AMAZING deal I got was at disneystore.com!

I was able to pick up four of these....{of course one is for Benjamin}

Disney Cars Launcher/Race Track!

At a deal of $9.99 each!

Sweet!!!

Now if you think that is Sweet! (which I did), I can't wait to share with you all my next HUGE Sale find ~ and I do mean H-U-G-E for our own kiddos to play with!

It is the Le Cafe Play Tent from Time To Play!

Can't you just see all three kiddos playing in it!

This play tent measures 7' x 4' x 7' Did I mention it was HUGE!

I have seen these retail for over $140...

Me...

I paid only $38.01!

$38.01 and that included the shipping fees!

Super HUGE Sweet!

And...

chances are that while you are reading this post, I am once again suffering the Internet for more amazing deals for Christmas 2010!

Did I take on too much...?

2010-03-26T07:00:00.003-05:00

I know so many of you, save your photos in very different ways....

Me...

Well let's just say I still save them all to disks ~ directly from my computer.

And because I have been doing this since 2007....

when my computer crashed....

I have a lot of disks!

(and wasn't really sure what to do with them)

Than came the weekend I went to my Mom's for a quick visit...(during the first weekend of March)

and I was looking for one particular photo in the many photo albums she has saved.

After looking at about 10 of the albums my mom had poured her heart & soul into....

and truly having such a wonderful walk down memory lane...

I just knew what I wanted to do with all.of.our.photos.that.are.saved.to.all.those.disks.since.2007.

That's right!

I am going to start labeling & placing all of our priceless photos in some precious photo albums & photo boxes!

Now this is truly a BIG job for me!

For I actually have to start from 2005...

for that is when I was still using my 35MM camera (which I still love) and was getting all those rolls of film developed and placed all those photos into a box (actually several boxes)

So if you are keeping track, it is 5 years of photos I need to work on getting organized, labeled, {many of them} printed, and placed in albums.

I see myself very VERY very busy over the next few weeks...

for I am hoping to have this little project that I crazily started...

finished by Memorial Day weekend!

Black & White Wednesday ~ Friends {part one}

2010-03-24T05:00:00.002-05:00

Have you ever had a friend that you can count on...

for anything...

at any time?

Have you ever had a friend who understand you completely...

and know what you are saying?

Have you ever had a friend who knows exactly what you are thinking...

or feeling?

Have you ever had a friend who is all "this"...

and more?

Well, I do! In fact, I feel very rich in my life to have the friends that I do!
{Sara, Elissa, Amy, Lori, Krista, Kelly, Gina, Diane, Megan, Jamie, Lisa, Jennifer, my Mom ~ well you get the idea!}

One of my dearest friends is Lori {who I did mention above}. We only have known each other since October 2008 (when we traveled to China for our daughters) but ever since that van ride from our landed flight at the airport in Beijing to our hotel on that very first night, we both had this connection that grew into what we have today....

and that is...

a friend for life!

Lori and I used to talk every.single.day before she headed back to work this past January. Even when we were at Disney this past winter, we talked every.single.day. Our conversations are never brief {sound fimiliar Sara}. In fact I know the minute we got on the phone together, it is easily an hour's worth of talking, laughing, crying, complaining and yes "comparing our differences". BUT ~ Isn't that what friends do...

When we lived in Pennsylvania, our families only lived an hour apart.

Now that we live in DC, the distance between us has grown...

but because of that distance, it has made our friendship stronger!

We see each other at least once a month.

We have even taken vacations together and are planning more for the future.

Yes, I do believe we all need friends.

And as I said before, I am truly one very rich woman indeed because of the friends that I have.

(Here is the color version from the black & white photo displayed above. This photo was taken at the end of our visit together this past March. As you can see from the smile on our faces, we did a ton of laughing, a little bit of crying, and even had some difference of opinion {that's why we look like we do} but in the end ~ FRIENDS is what we are!)

and for those of you who are keeping track, ever since Lori has gone back to work this past January, Lori & I only get to talk "a few times a week". While I so do miss my friend, I know that no matter what she is doing, she is ALWAYS there for me {as I am for her}...and now instead of our phones calls only lasting an hour...now we can chat & giggle for at least two ;)

***And coming this April, it is looking like I am finally going to get to meet in person one of the sweetest & dearest human-beings I have ever known...my long-time friend, Sara, when she & her husband come to DC for a visit!!!! Oh how I can't wait!!!!***

once again ~ a glimpse into the future...

2010-03-22T11:47:00.002-05:00

OK we all saw how Francesca was behind the wheel but just check out our Annabelle! I think that Grandma did most {all} of the driving as Annabelle was most interested in waving to her Mama!

Just thinking about both of them driving is making me stomach turn and add Benjamin into the mix...I see a many of "staying up until they get home" nights ahead in our future...

("Now I know what you went through Mom...")

my little fashion diva!

2010-03-19T11:43:00.003-05:00

I think she gets her fashion sense from Keith ~ yeah we'll just go with that ;)

Black & White Wednesday ~ once again our Francesca...

2010-03-17T05:00:00.000-05:00

Oh my Francesca ~ I just can't get enough of her!

Make sure you take a minute and go over to Lisa's blog to see this weeks beautiful black & white photos!

Annabelle {that crazy sister of mine}

2010-03-16T06:00:00.002-05:00

The look on Annabelle's face is saying it all!

Sunday SnapShot ~ Happy Birthday To ME!

2010-03-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

Seeing how today is my birthday and we are celebrating in a HUGE way ~ with a visit to the National Geographic Museunm in Washington DC to see the Terra Cotta Warriors Exhibit...supper at my favorite Chinese restaurant, Lee's Kitchen...and a special visit from my mom aka Grandma ~ I find it only fitting to share with you all today a few photos of one of the TWO things that mean the most to me on my very special day...

These photos were taken before we were heading out for our Chinese New Year Celebration at Lee's Kitchen! Seeing how we had record-breaking snow fall this past February & many of the CNY celebration festivals were cancelled, as soon as we heard that our favorite restaurant was having their own CNY party, we just knew we had to be a part of it! We had a great time and are so looking forward to going back next year ~ as a family of five!

A JoyFul Heart!

2010-03-14T05:30:00.000-05:00

What an amazing fund raiser ~ You truly must check it out!!!!

smile :)

2010-03-12T10:29:00.002-05:00

Keith took this photo a few weeks ago...

According to him whenever he looks at it...

It makes him smile :)

Black & White Wednesday ~ part three

2010-03-10T06:30:00.004-05:00

Seeing how this is the final post in my three part series of my girl and those funny faces ~ part one and part two....I just HAD to share with you all ~ once again ~ how our daughter Francesca had our cousins, Teresa & Mark, making all those silly faces!

I just love how Francesca is checking out Teresa to see if she is really making those funny faces she so wanted them to do with her!

Be sure to not only check out part one & part two of this post but also all the other great Black & White photos featured on The Long Road To China's web site!

And there you have it all three parts of Black & White Wednesday "my girl and those funny faces!"

Where O Where Is Our Francesca....

2010-03-08T10:21:00.002-05:00

There she is...

the Last of the Disney Photos?

2010-03-05T05:30:00.002-05:00

This is one of the reasons why I just knew Keith was the man for me...He totally knows how to have a good time (even at Disney) and can make just about anyone crack up laughing with his funny & crazy (and don't give a sh!t) attitude!

He had my mom & I in stitches for a majority of the time while on vacation! His one liners along with his wild sense of humor had us going non-stop!

Thank You Honey for always being ~ just you...Love you always & forever.

As for being the last of the Disney photos - probably not.

Black & White Wednesday ~ part two (follow up from last week)

2010-03-03T06:30:00.003-05:00

Last week for Black & White Wednesday, I featured a photo of our daughter Francesca insisting that her cousins Teresa & Mark to make some funny faces with her. The photo in my opinion was truly hilarious!

Seeing how I decided to do a three part follow up to that post ~ here is part two...

Just look at those smiling faces!

I couldn't let you all think that our cousins we truly that cRaZy!

Than again once you see next week post, your opinion might change once again...

but for now...

This is surely one beautiful photo!

Be sure to check back next Wednesday for part three of "my girl and those funny faces!"

just Annabelle...

2010-03-01T18:30:00.000-05:00

I just love the expression on her face in this photo! Just looking back on all those Disney photos (did I mention that Keith took over 1200 of them) has me remembering that wonderful time we spent there like it was ~ yesterday...

The girls keep asking us if we can go back and we are truly thinking about it.

Only time will tell, but at least for now we can reflect on all 1248 photos my husband took while on our Disney 2010 vacation!

one brave little girl

2010-02-28T12:00:00.000-05:00

Yep ~ That is our Francesca...

She is surely one brave little girl...

She is truly one little girl who has come a long way...

She is our Francesca...

and for that alone is simply enough to love her...

the things we do to our children....

2010-02-26T08:00:00.004-05:00

(it was me who placed the Viking helmet on her head)

the look on her face is saying it all....

Black & White Wednesday ~ my girl and those funny faces!

2010-02-24T06:00:00.004-05:00

Well, seeing how is it Wednesday once again, I search high & low for a photo to use {from the many we already have} and I think I found the perfect funny one!

Within minutes of meeting Francesca, she will have you in stitches! She will have you doing things and saying things you never imagined doing! Like making some super funny faces which our cousins from Naples Florida found out when they came up for a few days visit while we were at Disney. Francesca had our cousins, Teresa and Mark (who we miss so much) right where she wanted them! What a great time we had with everyone!

Now onto the the best part of this post...my choice for this week's Black & White Wednesday Photo with Lisa from The Long Road To China .

That girl of mine is all about making those silly faces...

updated an early birthday present ~ just for me!

2010-02-22T09:08:00.005-05:00

*Just received my necklace today and it truly is as amazing as I expected it be. If you haven't check out Lisa's web site ~ you must! For I am sure you will find that one piece you'll too so desire to have....*

Back around Christmas time, Stefanie over at Ni Hao Y'All feature this necklace as a pick on her "Christmas List for 2009"!

(it is the same list that I also found Smores the Pony on for Francesca...)

Anyway, at first glance of this necklace, I so WANTED one. Seeing how we were leaving for Disney only a few short weeks after Christmas...I just could not justify spending that kind of money on a necklace.

As time past, I kept that necklace in the back of my mind...

Next Valentine's Day came and seeing how Keith & I made a promise ~ a long time ago ~ not to waste any money on Valentine's Day gifts (we only do the card thing), I still could not justify "this necklace".

Than one night while watching TV in our bedroom, Keith turned to me and asked, "Is there any special you want for you birthday?" Seeing how he already got his hands on some tickets to see the Terra Cotta Soldiers display here in DC, {which I can't wait to go...} I truly didn't want to ask for anything else (plus as many of you know, we are saving once again for a trip to China this coming summer). When I did not reply, Keith asked me again, "Is there anything special you want for your birthday?" It was within 5 seconds that I turned to him and told him about "this necklace" I so desired...His reply to me, if it is under $100, you can order it!" I quickly ran down our stairs, type in the web site address, and starting ordering the necklace of my dreams.

Now this is not "my" necklace ~ for the names on each of my charms would be, Francesca, Annabelle, and Benjamin but you get the idea.

I know many of you have seen these hand stamped charm necklaces in the past (just as I have too) but I have NEVER seen one that perfectly represent my children.

Oh how I can't wait to get it! Not sure if I am going to have to wait until my birthday (which is next month) to wear it, but I am hoping I don't have too...

Sunday Snap Shot ~ China...

2010-02-21T07:00:00.000-05:00

In honor of celebrating China's 2010 Lunar New Year ~ The Year of the Tiger, I found it only fitting to dedicate a post about this one country that my family & I hold so dear to our hearts.

Oh China...

Some people out there will never understand what "China" means to me & my family...

This coming summer will be our 3rd time to visit this amazing country...

It will also be our 3rd time traveling on the adoption road to our 3rd child, Benjamin James...

Oh China...

Now I bet you are all wondering if this photo was taken when we traveled for Francesca back in 2005 or if it was taken when we traveled in 2008 for Annabelle...

Well the answer to that is neither ~ this photo and the others I will be sharing here with you all today was taken at Disney's Epcot China in sunny Florida!

(almost had you there...didn't I)

Anyway, as I mention before (on previous posts) we LOVE China at Disney's Epcot!

While it is not exactly the same as being in the heart of CHINA, for us it is close enough...

(Disney's Temple Of Heaven)

(a waterlily pond in Disney's China)

Oh China...

How we are counting down the days until we will once again return...

{{{{{And just in case you haven't heard ~ WE GOT UPDATED PHOTOS OF OUR BENJAMIN ON FRIDAY!!! Click HERE and check them out for yourself ~ they are truly amazing!}}}}}

got cake?

2010-02-19T10:31:00.001-05:00

New photos just in! To see more click HERE!

thinking of...

2010-02-19T09:00:00.006-05:00

{what else but} CHINA!

It has been 24 days since we have been LID for our Benjamin. It truly feels like 94 days ~ at least for me. I know we have so much to do before we can even think about traveling once again to China for our first son...and believe me when I say we do have so much to do...that I should not be wasting any time sitting around, crossing off the days since we have been LID ~ but I am.

24 days since being LID...

and from the look of things...

we could have another 80 days before we hear anything at all....{sigh}

B&W Wednesday ~ our Francesca

2010-02-17T06:00:00.010-05:00

It is once again Black & White Wednesday over at The Long Road To China! Make sure you stop by & say HI to Lisa and check out all the other bloggers who are participating!

Our Francesca has been home from school since February 5th.

Is she sick ~ no

Does she not want to go ~ no

She has been home from school for over a week now because of all the snow we got (if any of you have been keeping track we got over 50" of snow in a matter of 2 weeks).

Today is her first day back and she is super excited this morning to be seeing ~ once again ~ all her friends & teachers!

And even though there were times I though I would go cRaZy with the two girls home all.day.long. once again I found myself last night very sad. I know I must be cRaZy but I DO SO MISS our Francesca when she is at school. I think about her often and I find myself counting down the minutes until I can pick her up.

Oh Francesca ~ If only you knew how much I miss you when you are not with me....

a glimpse into the future....

2010-02-15T06:00:00.000-05:00

I know ~ it is only a matter of time before she can be old enough to legally drive {sigh}....

Sunday Snap Shot ~ Annabelle & Disney (what more can you ask for...)

2010-02-14T06:00:00.001-05:00

Ahhhhh ~ Our Annabelle.

It seems like forever since I did a post ~ just about our Annabelle.

She had an amazing time while at Disney this past January.

And whenever we talk about going out {anywhere}, she quickly asks, "Are we going to see Mickey Mouse at Disney World?"

The last night...while we were headed out for supper at our favorite Chinese restaurant, Lee's Kitchen, she kept saying over & over again, "Daddy, BUS!" Daddy, BUS!" When Keith asked her if she was talking about riding on a school bus (thinking to oneself what other kind of bus could she be talking about), she said, "No, I want to go on the Mickey Mouse bus!" As soon as the words came out of her mouth, Keith turned to me and said, "Now that's worth every penny we spent on our trip to Disney World."

Just look at how much fun she had...

That laughter...those smiles...and yes...that quick humor of hers...had us all watching her...having the time of her life.

Ahhhhh ~ our sweet sweet Annabelle...If you only knew how much your Daddy & I love you.

for our Benjamin...

2010-02-11T15:48:00.002-05:00

Not sure if it was the fact that we have been snowed in since last Friday or the fact that we are now LID, but I have been thinking a lot about our Benjamin.

So I though I share with you all 'here' a recently published post I did over on his blog that explains {in detail} the path that lead us to our son....

It's a long one so be ready...

once again Black & White Wednesday

2010-02-10T06:00:00.003-05:00

It is once again, Black & White Wednesday's over at The Long Road To China web site!

I must admit, I did have to search this week for a photo to use...

But it did not take me long to find exactly what I was looking for...

Below is two photos - one finished in Black & White and the other finished in Color for you all to view.

The one photo from which both were edited from was truly a great shot of our two girls. It was taken this past November to be used on our Christmas card. And for those of you who have received a card from us this past holiday season knows that neither of these two photos shown below were used and seriously there is no particular reason why. So after coming across my saved color version of the original photo, I just knew it would be the perfect pic to play around with those special editing tools some more...

And editing {playing} I did...

Since this is Black & White Wednesday...I figure it was best to start with my B&W version of the photo...

For some reason, it turned out better than I expected (that's is why it is posted here). Even though you don't get that abundant color range as featured in the photo below, you still get what this photo is all about!

{during my editing} I also added a little "dusting" factor to the B&W, I still think it is an amazing posed photo of one of my favorite subjects to photograph ~ our two girls.

Now here is the end result of the color photo that I edited.

I think using the outline reflection in both photos proved to be an outstanding way to make both photos just pop!

Thank You Lisa for starting Black & White Wednesdays! Just being a part of it is truly special for me. It has made me really start focusing on (and playing with) some editing tools I never dreamed I would using {or wanting to use} and it has opened me up to a world I only heard existed. So for that I must once again say, Thank You.

Year Of The Tiger ~ and ~ For Our Benjamin

2010-02-09T00:01:00.002-05:00

part one ~ Seeing how this coming Sunday will be the official kickoff of 2010 Chinese New Year ~ Year Of The Tiger, I though I would share with you all a few pictures that have been sent to me over the past week in honor of celebrating Chinese New Year ~ 2010!

Last week, I completely decorated our house in paper lanterns, red silk ribbons (direct from Beijing), glowing pagodas, and some very beautiful Chinese silk fans! The girls were super excited over seeing these very special decorations adorn our home once again and Keith has made reservations at our favorite Chinese restaurant, Lee's Kitchen here in DC! Oh words can not express how excited we are for this coming weekend...Let the celebration ~ begin...!

part two ~ I have finally gotten around to updating For Our Benjamin's web site! These are truly exciting times for us here at the Leonard household...not to mention very emotional and trying and we sit and wait-and wait-and wait for our LOA to arrive....

I will be posting regularly to our son's web site. Many of the posts will be informing you all on our time line, details of our care packages (which one has already been sent), and any updates we receive on him - but - it will also be place where I will be posting some very important messages and stories that I feel need to be recorded.

I do hope you all will once again join us in our adoption journey!

And I am hoping to be posting from this site when we do travel once again to China this coming summer!

Recipe Monday and some photos of the "Super Storm" in DC

2010-02-08T06:30:00.000-05:00

Colleen over at the Nut House started "Recipe Monday" on her blog. While I am still neck deep in photos from Disney (not to mention the 30" of snow we got over this past weekend), I so wanted to share with all a few recipes that we just couldn't have lived with out this past weekend (and all are super easy to make)...

#1

Now, anyone that knows Keith & I well enough knows that we so love our "at home happy hour" cocktails! Even though they are super easy to make and my very own special concoctions, I am going to share the recipes for both cocktails featured here today with you all!

First up is the "Super Storm Delight"!

take one bottle of your favorite Raspberry Forte (we LOVE Tomasello Winery's brand)...

mix it with 16oz of Lemon-Lime Soda in your favorite pitcher...

stir until blended well (and foamy)

pour over some ice...

add an orange slice..

and than you'll have the "Super Storm Delight"!

*trust me ~ this cocktail is so good you'll find that before you know it, the whole pitcher will be gone...*

#2

My next recipe I am going to share with you all is a recipe I found on the Nut House blog about a year ago and since than it has become a family favorite and a necessity for anyone who is stuck inside ~ all weekend long ~ because of the "Super Storm" that hit the DC area...

Thank You Colleen for sharing this recipe with us ~ with me! It has truly become a family favorite! And one that I am sure will be passed on for generations...

now without letting you wait any longer, here is the recipe...

1 cup of sugar
1 egg beaten
3/4 cup of butter (melted)
1 cup of self-rising flour
and...
2 cups of fresh fruit of your choice (I used only strawberries this time)

Place fruit in lightly greased baking dish. Combine sugar, flour, and egg...once mixed...sprinkle over the fruit. Pour melted butter on top. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 50-60 minutes.

next is my other cocktail special of the weekend...

#3

(I know another cocktail but we have been snowed in since late Friday night...)

This one I am calling, "A Little Bit Of Sunshine On A Snowy Day{weekend}"!

and here's how you make it...

over ice - in again - your favorite pitcher ~ pour...
two parts "Verdi" Spumante...
one part Limoncello...
and one part Orange Juice...
mix well...
garnish with orange slices to taste..
and there you have it ~ "A Little Bit Of Sunshine On A Snowy Day"!

(fyi ~ while we did enjoy this concoction I must admit it isn't as good as our "Super Storm Delight")

#4

And last but not least is my Crispy Corn Chip Chicken (which we had on Saturday night with some southwestern style corn and fried potatoes with some sweet onions)!

This was a recipe I sort-of created while trying to find something new & exciting to do with chicken...

take 2lbs of chicken legs (about 12-14 pieces)...
after rinsing off each piece of chicken, take each piece and dip & coat into 4 beaten eggs...
than coat each piece with a full bag of crumbled (flavored) Friots {we love using Friots Chili Cheese Flavored ones}...
place each piece of chicken on a baking sheet...
*top with melted butter ~ optional*...
bake in 400 degree oven for about an hour and there you have it ~ Crisy Corn Chip Chicken!

As I stated earlier, these recipes are sure to be a hit whenever you decide to try them and again - all are super easy!

(now onto the part two of this post)

As many of you have heard...we DID have a record breaking "Super Storm" here in the Washington DC area! This is the MOST snow I have even seen (so far in my life time) and I hope it is the last....We had over 30" of snow...let me repeat that over 30" of snow! It started Friday at 1PM and didn't stop until late Saturday night! These photos featured below we taken around noon time on Saturday afternoon. Seeing how it was a weekend we here at the Leonard household stayed in our pajamas, I didn't venture out too far from the front door (actually all I did was open the door and started snapping away). Anyway, here's is an idea of just how MUCH snow we got and why it was labeled the "Super Storm of DC"!

Photos from noon time on Saturday ~ while it snowed another 4" by the time the "Super Storm" was done...you can get the idea of how much.snow.we.actually.got.

(that's Keith's vehicle that was slowly being buried...by all the snow we were getting)

Now after looking at these photos, I bet you can tell why I just had to include those fancy cocktails,that delicious dessert, and that amazing Corn Chip Chicken on this "Recipe Monday"!

***I can not get credit for naming the massive snow storm that dumped on our area this past weekend..."The Super Storm" for it was our local Channel 9 WUSA News station that was calling it "The Super Storm". I just found it "super" funny and it was truly my word of the weekend!***

Sunday Snap Shot Photos ~ our Sleeping Beauties!

2010-02-07T08:00:00.005-05:00

Oh don't you just love watching your children sleep ~ well we sure do! And here is one photo of each our of girls dreaming the night away (on our last night at Disney)!

Oh I could watch them sleep ~ forever. I love how at peace each of them truly looks and I love watching them breathe every breath as if new life was following into them with each intake. There have been many nights I have stayed up and watched my two girls sleep. It is just something about that moment...that I so want to remember and promised myself to never forget...

(it is something I know I'll be doing as long as I can...)

FUN! FUN! FUN!

2010-02-05T18:34:00.000-05:00

Here are a few more Disney photos! Again I hand picked these just to share with you all!

Breakfast with the Princesses ~ this photo was taken while visiting Ariel!

My nephew, Scott Joe, after having his face painted like a tiger!

The girls with the "big guy" himself! (Now isn't that the true reason why we all go to Disney...to see Mickey Mouse!)

My girls and me just outside the gates leading into Epcot's China!

My mom & me enjoying a few glasses of vino in Epcot's Italy! (I think that is why Epcot is our favorite...where else can you truly "drink around the world" without leaving sunny & warm Florida!)

and last but not least - THE MAN behind the photos!

(as soon as we saw Pocahontas, Keith handed me the camera and waited his turn in line just to meet her)

And there you have it - just a few photos {and trust me when I say you only saw a few of the photos} that were taken while we vacationed at Disney World this past January!!!! So looking forward to going back in 2011?!?!?!?!?!?

only a few more posts - I promise!

2010-02-04T15:00:00.000-05:00

OK I know you all must be getting totally bored with all these photos from Disney (can't say that I blame you) but if you just humor me for just a few more post, I promise (now remember I have over 1200 photos of our fab trip) I'll have something new for you by next week!

Here are just a few photos of the girls with some amazing Disney characters that I though came out truly amazing!

First up is our Annabelle with her favorite ~ Snow White!

(remember the Snow White dress and sparkle red shoes our Annabelle received from Santa this year...well she just couldn't wait to wear them!)

And here is once again our Francesca with Daisy at Disney's Animal Kingdom! As my mom is always saying...you can never go wrong with a photo that "her Francesca" is in!

Black & White Wednesday with Lisa

2010-02-03T06:30:00.001-05:00

Once again, it is Black & White Wednesday with Lisa!

If you haven't already checked out her blog...you must!

Seeing how this photo has been a family favorite since our first Christmas as a family of four {in 2008}, I just knew I had to feature it here for this post!

You see this was the first photo I truly ever edited. It was when Lisa (from The Long Road To China) introduced me to flickr (online).

After changing the color photo to B&W and adding the word "love" to it, I felt it was complete! I than had them printed up in 11" x 14" size photos, matted and framed to a size 16" x 20" them to give out as Christmas gifts for that year. Everyone loved them and the photo itself has been featured in a gallery showing back in Pennsylvania during the spring of 2009. To me, this photo is so special because our Annabelle was only home with us for about 2 weeks when this photo was taken. Just looking at this one photo takes me back...I still can't believe the exchange of looks between our two daughters...these two sisters who have only met only a short time ago. This photo still is displayed in our home as a reminder of where we have been and where we were going....

Here is the original that I just had to add. I so think that by changing it to B&W and by adding just that one word...made this photo a family keepsake!

(I figure I throw in a non-Disney photo here seeing how I have a few more post planned of just Disney photos ~ I just can't seem to stop myself!)

a visit with Mulan...

2010-02-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

Our two girls LOVE Mulan {and in my opinion she totally ROCKS}! She was on the top of Francesca's list to meet! And when she finally did, I think Miss Mulan was just as captivated by our two girls as they were of her. She sat and talked to each of them for a long time and even showed Francesca some Chinese warrior moves. Yes, my girls were in heaven when in the company of Mulan (so much so that Francesca is still talking about it til this day)!

(my girls with their hero...)

(Francesca learning the moves of a true warrior)

Once again, another magical day at Disney ~ how blessed are we....

LID!!!! LID!!!!! LID!!!!!

2010-02-01T16:07:00.000-05:00

We finally got word today that our LID is January 26th!!! Getting ready to send out a care package! Oh you will never know how bad I needed to hear some good news today...

LID ~ January 26th

Sunday Snap Shot for January 31st

2010-01-31T06:30:00.002-05:00

Oh how do I love these Sunday Snap Shot photo displays! This week I am truly excited to feature two of the most important women in my life...my mom & my sister.

Without them, I would truly be nothing...

Even though I am the complete polar opposite of either one of them - they both are strong "figures" in my life.

My mom...she has truly made me what I am today. Without her support, encouragement, LOVE, commitment, devotion, and understanding...I would not be typing this today. She went above & beyond to give me & my sister all that we needed to survive & thrive in this world today. She also was the first one I spoke to after Keith & I decided to seek adoption. She was also the first one to stand behind us and support us when others were a little bit "worried". As I stated before, I am nothing like her....and boy what a shame that is for me...for she was IS truly the BEST mother anyone could ask for! She is smart and I mean really smart! Ask her a question about anything, and she knows the answer. We are always telling her she needs to go on a game show and wins lots of money, but that is just not my mom. She is quiet and gentle. She is one of those people I turn to when things get tough. She has been and still is my sounding board {on several occasions} and has been my cheerleader when I needed it most! She is my mom and I love her so....

now as for...

My sister, Lisa...she is the one person who can make me laugh so hard that my sides hurt! She is another extremely smart person (unlike me and so much like our mother) - ask her anything and most likely she knows the answer. I so can not see my life without my sister. Just saying those words ~ my sister ~ hold so much power & joy for me. Growing up we were not the closest of sister (seeing how we were 4 years apart) but once I start college just as she was finishing...things changed and when you saw one of us - you saw the other. When I lived in Pennsylvania, I was at my sister's house every Tuesday & Thursday (from that first cup of coffee in the morning to the after lunch naps for the kiddos)...I was there. We talk almost every single day. We just returned for an almost two week vacation together and in my opinion, those 2 weeks together were just not enough. Just walking, talking, and laughing together was all I ever needed from her. Did we fight - of course - and we still do but I wouldn't want it any other way. This is my sister and she is truly one of those people you can easily fall in love with within minutes of meeting her ~ just as I have.

And last but not least BOTH of these women are FABULOUS cooks! Both have inspired me to try new things and learn a generation of family recipes.

Again, I could go on & on about my mom and my sister but I know I would never have enough room here to do so and I would just end up boring you all so I will end this entry for now, but you can be sure that I will be featuring these two AMAZING women once again for future Sunday Snap Shot post!

two pics of mine...

2010-01-29T06:16:00.001-05:00

Seeing how we have a ton of photos from our vacation at Disney World, I am trying to narrow down a few to share with you all over the next week. Today, I am going to share with you all two of my favorite pics...one of Annabelle and one of Francesca.

first up is our Annabelle...

Now who doesn't love a Chinese toddler sporting a traditional Chinese straw hat {I know I sure do} and what else can I say but she looks adorable in it!

(oh how I can just eat her up!)

This photo was taken while were were visiting Epcot's China! Lets just say I did some major shopping while visiting there! (wonder why...)

and second is our Francesca...

At first view of this photo I was upset over the shakiness in it but after looking at it for a second time, I saw that this photo was just perfect ~ for it was taken while we were enjoying that famous spinning ride at the Magic Kingdom...Mad Tea Party Tea Cups! The Tea Cups has always been one of Francesca's favorite rides and it was her first requested ride on the day of her birthday. Just look at the expression on her face - it is priceless. Just seeing the excitement on her face {not to mention the thrill of the ride} makes me want to do it ~ all again...