2008 - Bringing Them Home!!!

I am sometimes just left speechless as to how beautiful they both are!!!

This photo was taken by a parent just returning from a visit trip with her daughters. Thanks!!

I can't help but wonder how they will like living in the Tundra when this is what they are use to wearing at the end of December. To refresh your memory as to what we are wearing, check out Tuks attire in the duck feeding photos. LOL

A HUGE contrast...............................

Happy New Year's Eve

New Year goals continue to be the same as every year; and hopefully I get closer to it each new year!!!!!!!!
a. Work on raising mentally, spiritually and physically healthy daughters
b. Work on becoming a more mentally, spiritually and physically healthy person. Some areas need more work than others. LOL
c. Work on opening myself up to trusting and involving others in our lives more than I currently do
d. Continuing working on removing all debt except for my home mortgage.
e. Bringing my two girls home from Haiti, realistically I feel Panda will be home in 2008, but Cheetah not until 2009 (next year's goal)




Notice how easy and relaxed they are with each other, and they weren't even set up for a picture, they were just caught in the act of being kids. YEAH

More

snow...predicted 3 - 5 inches for today.

sore...ran 3 more miles and did ab workout. Not doing much good since we are consuming so much food. Well actually I am, Tuki just drinks milk and eats little anything else. Trying not to worry about it.

eating...still working on Christmas meal and now tonight the family is getting together for a farewell/welcome home gathering for nephew C.

good thoughts......Nephew C is training to qualify for this summer Olympics.
Pre-trials are in June in Oregon.

Feeding the Ducks, Feeding the Soul

I ran for the first time in almost 2 months. I always seem to take a break after CC season and this break ended up lasted longer than planned. I ran 3 miles and lifted a little, and now I am sore. Tuks enjoyed getting back to her old stomping ground with the other kids at the Y.

Then later today we went with our neighbor A to feed some nearby mallard and butler/mallard mix ducks that hang around in a pond below a dam. A feeds then every winter and it is something he wanted to share with Tuki. I couldn't say no. Philosophically, I struggle with feeding wildlife since they become too dependent on the supplemental food and ultimately it changes their habits. The facts say don't feed, but then you have to consider the human factor and the enjoyment and how maybe it will have a long term positive effect on future generations because they were able to get so close to a wild animal. I know there never is an easy answer.

This kid has no fear of any animals. I love that about her, but now I need to watch for an anti-kid friendly animal because she is not old enough to understand how to approach them hesitantly until she can read their posture.

The pictures and the look on her face, and A's face says it all. They enjoy each other and since Tuk's grandpa passed away long before she was born, I am hoping A will take that spot for her. So far, so good!!

Christmas Season and Beyond

Well to summarize the last few days. We did get out of our yard in time for the Christmas Eve brunch at my sisters, and to take E to the airport. We cared for E's dog on the 24th, 25th and then this morning we took her to a kennel he had arranged for her. We made it to Christmas eve service, and drove around looking at lights.
Starting the 25th, I was literally cooking and cleaning ALL day, after opening presents. I had quite the layout for the family. Around 7 main dishes and then also dessert. Tuks and I will be eating Christmas dinner for several weeks. Tuki was spoiled beyond belief, but that is part of what childhod is all about, right???.



Looking cute at my sister's Eve brunch.


Hamming it up for the camera.


Admiring aunt M's tree.


Opening a ducky blanket.


In front of the tree at church at the Christmas eve service. She is dead tired here since it was past her bedtime AND she never took a nap on the 24th. She actually handled it very well. No tantrums. Matter of fact she has been an extremely happy little girl since she turned two.


Christmas day, hair all messed up due to wrestling with cousin N, and her uncles. Here she is singing "Jingle Bells". There are many people around at our family gatherings, but most of my family members don't like to have their pictures on the blog. So, no we don't entertain all by ourselves, even though it may look that way sometimes. LOL


Smiling for Uncle W.


Along with many other gifts, she received 4 "Little People" sets this year. Believe it or not, no repeats!!


What I hope Tuks and I can do this summer...camping once she is out of diapers.


Enjoying the campfire.........


BUT, then monster sMurph comes in to rue the day


This "Little People" village doesn't have to contend with Godzilla, but rather "sMurphzilla"


What Tuks and I were doing this morning after dropping E's dog off. We were watching "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" while playing with the "Little People". Today is a day of rest and of course MORE eating.

Many Celebrations!!!!

I will be too busy tomorrow and I wanted to shout out many words of Celebrations for tomorrow:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jesus!!

Happy 4th Birthday Panda!! What a great day to celebrate your birthday with the birth of Christ!! I will do my best to make it memorable in your future birthdays.

Merry Christmas to everyone!!

Happy Holidays!!

Happy Winter Solstice

(December 21st, now the days are getting gradually longer)

and

Happy Kwanzaa

What a GREAT time of year!!

and most importantly;

Enjoy your families and friends.

We need each other!!!!!

Merry Christmas Eve!!

I thought I better post early since we have a busy day planned. This picture is of the girls receiving their t-shirts at the Christmas party that Marie and all the nannies put on for the kids. They brought the kids from PAC1 and PAC2 together on December 20. It reminded me of a school dance. It looked (according to the videos and pictures) like it was a beautiful party, and the kids were really having fun. What a thoughtful and loving action on Marie's part.

I love this picture because the girls seem to be more bonded as friends/sisters. In previous pictures of them together, there was always something in their body language and in their eyes that led me to believe that they weren't warmed up to
the idea of becoming future sisters. Notice Cheetah's arm draped over Panda, and Panda's arm is leaning on Cheetah's hip, and she is also leaning into Cheetah. In addition, the big thing, again in looking in their eyes, they look happy, excited, and relaxed with each other. I have been looking for that "look" when they are together, and here it is.