Our girl turned FIVE today. It seems like yesterday that she was 3 1/2. Today, we made homemade playdough this morning, and T.J. and Jili have been playing with it for hours. Tonight, we are having Birthday cookies at my Mom and Dad's house, and opening presents. Tomorrow, we are having a Picnic Birthday Party for Jili at the lake. It should be very laid back: hot dogs, hamburgers, salads, Hello Kitty cookies, lemonade, and sand and water toys. Sunday, we have our church family picnic. Afterwards, we are using a gift certificate for a waterpark. I will definitely post pictures, along with a long-intended video of our Journey to Jiliang.
Jill :)
This blog is intended for our family, friends and other adoptive parents, as we share our daughter's adoption story from Gaoyou, China to Michigan, and our Faith journey through God’s Amazing Grace. *******ALL RIGHTS RESERVED*******
"When life gives you rain, God gives you rainbows." ~ Unknown Author
Friday, August 26, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
The Last Day of My Summer Vacation
Well, today was such a nice ending to my summer vacation. My husband's fire department had a Union Party, celebrating 25 years as a Union, and honoring the three original union founders. They had a pig roast and tons of food. Jiliang and T.J. enjoyed running around with the children. The pouring day rain did not damper our festivities, as we sat in the comfort of a covered tent; and afterwards, the kids enjoyed puddle-jumping.
I am a little sad to say goodbye to my last day of summer vacation as I go back to school (teacher pre-service). We had such an amazing summer together as a family, and I hate to see it come to an end.
I am a little sad to say goodbye to my last day of summer vacation as I go back to school (teacher pre-service). We had such an amazing summer together as a family, and I hate to see it come to an end.
Jili's New Hair
This past Friday, Jili and I went to South Rockwood, Michigan, to repair Jili's wig. She had some stitching tear back in May, and she pretty much went the entire summer without her wig.
When we got there, Regina, from Children With Hair Loss, took a look at the wig and decided that a second layer of her wig could come out. It made a huge difference. It is so much more natural on her. We are also getting her second wig earlier, which is nice - It will be nice to have two wigs. Her next wig will be longer in length.
Jili was very nervous about wearing her wig again, and said, "But Mom, it hurts me." Regina was very patient with Jili as she scowled, cried and squirmed in the chair. Regina removed all of the clips on the wig except one. Now the wig is being held into place with adhesive tape. I was skeptical about whether the tape would hold, but the wig stayed on all day, and stayed in place better than the clips. Most importantly, Jili is excited about wearing her improved "Dora" hair (the same hair that her nurse donated).
I was really worried about her wearing her wig to school, because in the past it shifted when she played at home. I am really confident that it will now be much easier to stay in place. I am very thankful to Children With Hair Loss.
When we got there, Regina, from Children With Hair Loss, took a look at the wig and decided that a second layer of her wig could come out. It made a huge difference. It is so much more natural on her. We are also getting her second wig earlier, which is nice - It will be nice to have two wigs. Her next wig will be longer in length.
Jili was very nervous about wearing her wig again, and said, "But Mom, it hurts me." Regina was very patient with Jili as she scowled, cried and squirmed in the chair. Regina removed all of the clips on the wig except one. Now the wig is being held into place with adhesive tape. I was skeptical about whether the tape would hold, but the wig stayed on all day, and stayed in place better than the clips. Most importantly, Jili is excited about wearing her improved "Dora" hair (the same hair that her nurse donated).
I was really worried about her wearing her wig to school, because in the past it shifted when she played at home. I am really confident that it will now be much easier to stay in place. I am very thankful to Children With Hair Loss.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Tractor Supply Company - Pet Day
The kids enjoyed petting the basset pups. Myself included.
Jili and the Basset pups.
Isn't he precious? He wouldn't sit still, so the pictures I took of him were all blurry.
I thought for sure she would be apprehensive, but she jumped right on the pony.
T.J. had a good time riding the pony after all. He wasn't sure he wanted to do it.
Look at that smile!
Pocket piggies. I want one. One of them rolled over when I was petting him and started to fall asleep.
I absolutely love cows. Here I am with a mini-bull.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Jili's First Time at the Movies
Jili and I went to see The Zookeeper on Friday, with my sister Leah. It was such a good time. There is a small, family-owned theatre near us. They have great prices on admission and concessions, so it is very reasonable, with a very family-oriented atmosphere. I am not crazy about crowds, but I don't mind going there for a feature movie once in a while. Jili and I really loved the movie, so we brought Scott and T.J. back with us tonight to see it. It was our first family movie with all four of us.
Prior to the movie today, Scott worked on the house, the kids played games in the basement, and I played fetch with Bear-Bear outside. I was disappointed to miss a glimpse of a Indigo Bunting outside. Scott spotted him. They are a bright blue, indigo bird. I filled all of my bird-feeders in hopes of attracting the bird tomorrow. T.J. bought me a new hummingbird feeder a month ago, and I love to catch sight of the hummingbirds. My wrens are back again this year, and this year they have babies in the wren house in my garden.
Yesterday, the kids and I went to Tractor Supply Company's Pet Day. They were supposed to have rescue animals there all day, and T.J. had decided to donate $10. I am so proud of him wanting to help orphaned animals. However, the animals were all gone by 2:00 p.m, and we had just missed them... except for some cute Basset Hound puppies. I was in love. It reminded me of the days with my cute Bassets: Baxter and Casey. Anyhow, I couldn't resist sending Scott a photo of Jili and T.J. with the bassets from my phone. Scott responded, "Cute photo. No pups." I teasingly sent him a message stating that it was too late - a cute basset already chose us. When he didn't respond, I figured I had better come clean. The truth is, Bear is mischievous enough for us, and we can't have any more dogs. It's always fun to dream. On the way to the Saline FD Chicken Broil, we stopped at another Tractor Supply Company. The had a petting zoo and pony rides. I loved the bull and the small piglets. Apparently, the pigs stay small enough to carry around like pocket piggies - instead of chihuahuas. Hmm...future pet? I will post the photos later. The kids had an awesome time.
Well, I am falling asleep typing, so I will get those pictures up tomorrow.
Have a good night everyone.
Jill :)
Prior to the movie today, Scott worked on the house, the kids played games in the basement, and I played fetch with Bear-Bear outside. I was disappointed to miss a glimpse of a Indigo Bunting outside. Scott spotted him. They are a bright blue, indigo bird. I filled all of my bird-feeders in hopes of attracting the bird tomorrow. T.J. bought me a new hummingbird feeder a month ago, and I love to catch sight of the hummingbirds. My wrens are back again this year, and this year they have babies in the wren house in my garden.
Yesterday, the kids and I went to Tractor Supply Company's Pet Day. They were supposed to have rescue animals there all day, and T.J. had decided to donate $10. I am so proud of him wanting to help orphaned animals. However, the animals were all gone by 2:00 p.m, and we had just missed them... except for some cute Basset Hound puppies. I was in love. It reminded me of the days with my cute Bassets: Baxter and Casey. Anyhow, I couldn't resist sending Scott a photo of Jili and T.J. with the bassets from my phone. Scott responded, "Cute photo. No pups." I teasingly sent him a message stating that it was too late - a cute basset already chose us. When he didn't respond, I figured I had better come clean. The truth is, Bear is mischievous enough for us, and we can't have any more dogs. It's always fun to dream. On the way to the Saline FD Chicken Broil, we stopped at another Tractor Supply Company. The had a petting zoo and pony rides. I loved the bull and the small piglets. Apparently, the pigs stay small enough to carry around like pocket piggies - instead of chihuahuas. Hmm...future pet? I will post the photos later. The kids had an awesome time.
Well, I am falling asleep typing, so I will get those pictures up tomorrow.
Have a good night everyone.
Jill :)
Friday, August 5, 2011
Fun at The Treehouse in Chelsea
I had a great time with my friend Jessica, at the Tree House in Chelsea, MI, a children's indoor play-land resembling a treehouse. The kids and I enjoying seeing Jess and her adorable baby, Jacob. I wanted to post some pictures, but my internet server
went down about 2 hours ago. I will try to update tomorrow.
We discovered that Chelsea has an evening festival every Thursday night throughout the summer. They had a different band on every corner and in every other parking lot. I love big band music a lot. We left just before they started to play, because our kiddos were all tuckered out. We will definitely make a go of it another evening. They also had a magician and ballon animals. Everything was free and family-oriented. What an amazing fare, especially during these tough times in Michigan right now.
Have a peaceful evening, everyone.
Jill
went down about 2 hours ago. I will try to update tomorrow.
We discovered that Chelsea has an evening festival every Thursday night throughout the summer. They had a different band on every corner and in every other parking lot. I love big band music a lot. We left just before they started to play, because our kiddos were all tuckered out. We will definitely make a go of it another evening. They also had a magician and ballon animals. Everything was free and family-oriented. What an amazing fare, especially during these tough times in Michigan right now.
Have a peaceful evening, everyone.
Jill
Monday, July 25, 2011
Reality Check :) Hope it makes you laugh.
Oh yes, back from vacation and back to reality. Today, we took our black labrador, Bear-Bear, to get a haircut, nail trim, and ear and teeth cleaning. When we took him for his first dog wash this past June, he couldn't wait to get back in the car. When I brought him home from his grooming last June, I had just remembered that his vet needed a urine sample from him to monitor a previous infection. Here I was, chasing my labrador around with a cup, and he was looking at me like I was crazy and running every time I got close to him - all in the back yard, of course. Lo and behold, the Schwann's man showed up. The kids proceeded to tell him that I needed to collect Bear's pee in a cup, and that I was out back. I was utterly humiliated, so I ditched the cup and quickly put Bear in the house. Of course, the kids opened the door and he ran outside while I was placing my order. He jumped straight into the stagnant, smelly creek. Then, he wasted no time rolling in something really BAD. Come to think of it, I never did collect that specimen for the vet.
Today, he embarrassed me again in my sister's neighborhood. We stopped by Leah's house after we picked up Bear. He was a perfect angel at her house - so quiet that we almost forgot he was there. However, I went to let Bear out her back door, and before I could even open the screen door, Bear took the screen door right off, and it crashed onto her deck. Later, the kids ate dinner on her deck and started to play in her back yard. I assumed that he wouldn't run off at her house after giving me the sad eyes, tied to her deck post, but I was wrong. I watched as he ran along the kids in perfect obedience. Yet, as soon as I went in the house, in record time, he connived his way into the neighbor's yard - via the gate - while Leah's neighbor was out mowing the lawn. Thus, he proceeded to go under her deck and squat over her hostas - as her dogs barked from inside the house. I apologized profusely and got a plastic bag to pick up his mess. Luckily, she just laughed. The dog that I was sad to leave behind while we vacationed, found a way to be mischievous once again. Obviously, he doesn't like going to the puppy salon.
Oh well, another crazy day at the Koeppe household. All I know is that he is not shedding in my house right now and he was not home long enough to jump in the creek; and I am going on a day-trip with my sister tomorrow for some good old-fashioned, girly fun. I type this as he lies at my feet, like the faithful companion that I know and love. :)
Today, he embarrassed me again in my sister's neighborhood. We stopped by Leah's house after we picked up Bear. He was a perfect angel at her house - so quiet that we almost forgot he was there. However, I went to let Bear out her back door, and before I could even open the screen door, Bear took the screen door right off, and it crashed onto her deck. Later, the kids ate dinner on her deck and started to play in her back yard. I assumed that he wouldn't run off at her house after giving me the sad eyes, tied to her deck post, but I was wrong. I watched as he ran along the kids in perfect obedience. Yet, as soon as I went in the house, in record time, he connived his way into the neighbor's yard - via the gate - while Leah's neighbor was out mowing the lawn. Thus, he proceeded to go under her deck and squat over her hostas - as her dogs barked from inside the house. I apologized profusely and got a plastic bag to pick up his mess. Luckily, she just laughed. The dog that I was sad to leave behind while we vacationed, found a way to be mischievous once again. Obviously, he doesn't like going to the puppy salon.
Oh well, another crazy day at the Koeppe household. All I know is that he is not shedding in my house right now and he was not home long enough to jump in the creek; and I am going on a day-trip with my sister tomorrow for some good old-fashioned, girly fun. I type this as he lies at my feet, like the faithful companion that I know and love. :)
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