We were blessed today!

This is Olivia in the high chair. The man is Sarah's brother in China holding his son.



Lynn is obviously the blonde. Ah-moo (Sarah's foster mother) is holding Lynn's daughter Olivia. The other three are Sarah's foster brother, his wife, and their son.

I’m so excited this morning! I have an internet friend (Lynn) that is in Nanning, China picking up their daughter, Olivia. You can follow along at http://www.bringingoliviahome9.blogspot.com/

I asked Lynn if she would be willing to take an envelope full of pictures to give to Sarah’s foster family. I was thrilled to see that Lynn got to spend some time with our family in China! They met at the hotel and went to dinner together. You’ll have to go to Lynn’s blog to see what she wrote. I am happy (mainly for Sarah) that we can stay connected to the family that loved her so much for the first 22 months of her life. I must admit that I am a bit jealous! Our visit with the foster family was only about 20 minutes and was ended in an abrupt manner by the orphanage staff. That will always be one of my regrets…that I didn’t speak up and make the orphanage staff stop and allow us to have a pleasant good-bye. Lynn got to spend more time with them. I’m so thrilled to be able to experience more time with them….even if it is through Lynn. It sounds like Ah-moo was a blessing to Lynn as well. I also found out that Ah-moo is now a grandmother! Her son has a son! Now I need to think about what I want to send over to Ah-moo’s grandson.

Well, the boys are home today. The storm that came through took out the electricity at their school. I need to get everybody moving.

Lynn, I doubt that you’ll be on my blog, but if you do stop in…thank you for blessing us!

Where have I been?

I don't think I have posted for over three weeks! I'm not sure if anyone has checked in or not...if you have and have wondered...I'm still alive!

Several things have kept me busy and away from the blog world. First, let me remind you that I have five children! All three boys play basketball on three different teams. I spend five of seven nights on the sideline of a basketball watching one of the boys.

We've had a myriad of illnesses floating around our house so that has kept me busy as well. Sarah started it with a 3-day fever and cold. As soon as it ended for Sarah, Lily got it. Well, I think she got it. I waited for several days because I assumed it was the same "it" that Sarah had. Well, Lily ended up with pneoumonia (did I spell that correctly?)

In the middle of that, I had a bit of an accident at work. It didn't seem like anything too serious..at first. You see, I'm working in a dangerous environment...afterall, I'm a PE teacher for kids between the ages of 5 and 8. I have always been a hands-on teacher so it should be a surprise that I jump in and do the many activities with my kids. So, I was finishing up a soccer unit with my second graders. During the one class we were short one player to make the teams even. I jumped in. I figured I wouldn't play at my level....just try to play at their level. I was doing okay until I went to kick the ball. I didn't kick it, I stepped on it. It was a gator-skin ball so was a bit softer than a regular soccer ball. I ended up falling. All I remember is thinking to myself, "I'd really like to stop rolling." When I came to a stop, there were all these kids over me saying, "Oh, Mrs. Alexander...are you okay?" IT WAS A CONCRETE FLOOR!!! I got up as soon as I could to save what little pride I had left. My back hasn't been the same ever since. I know it isn't anything serious. It sure does stink getting old!

Enjoy the video and one picture that I've posted. The picture is of Dane on a theme day at school. Every class had a different theme for the day. Guess what the theme was for Dane's class! The video cracks me up! One day I saw Lily standing there doing the pledge. I had no idea she knew it!

Well, those muscle relaxers are kicking in and I'm feeling a bit loopy...better go.

Snow Run Challenge 2008

FIRST things FIRST! I would never have allowed Sarah to do the Snow Run Challenge had I known how upset she was going to get. Know that we loved on her most of the day after the snow run!

SECOND! I hesitated uploading the video of the boys simply because I wasn't happy with three of the comments they made. My apologies as you hear the three that upset me.

I have two more videos of the boys that are a hoot that I will add in a few days.

Cousins

Between Tom and I we have 31 nieces and nephews with one more on the way! On the Johnson (my side) the kids are all pread out with my niece Katy being the oldest at 28 or 29 (sorry Katy, can't remember). The youngest on the Johnson side is Sarah at age 3 1/2. That won't be much longer as my youngest sister will have her fourth before too long.

On the Alexander side is another story. This picture has all of the Alexander counsins it in! TJ is the oldest at 16 although there are several right there close to his age. Sarah is the youngest...I think! It makes for a fun Christmas to have all of the cousins together!