May joy and peace surround you,
Contentment latch your door,
And happiness be with you now
And bless you evermore.

- An Irish Blessing

continuation of previous conversation while walking to the playground to watch a backhoe work:

TA: Mommy, how does the baby get out of the Mommy's belly?
Me: That is a conversation for another time sweetie.
TA: Does it crawl out of her mouth?

Two recent conversations with TA (4y 8 months):
TA: Is Jesus God?
Me: Yes.
TA: Is the Holy Spirit God?
Me: Yes.
TA: Are they all God and theirselves?
Me: Yes.
TA: So God is 3 people and 1 person?
Me: Yes.
TA: Are they in heaven and in our hearts?
Me: Yes they are.
TA: Oh. OK.
________________________________________________
(I was driving during this conversation)
TA: Mommy, did you know that babies grow in the Mommy's bellies?
Me: Where did you hear that?
TA: Daddy whispered it to me.
Me: No. Where did you really hear it?
TA: One of my teachers has a baby growing in her belly. I grew in your belly, right Mommy?
Me: No. You are from China.
TA: Oh. So I grew in your belly, went to China, and then you and daddy came to get me.
Me: Well, not exactly. You grew in a different Mommy's belly in China, but she knew she couldn't take care of you so she made sure you had a Mommy who could.
TA: I didn't grow in Daddy's belly?
Me: No. Only Mommys have babies grow in their bellies. Daddys can't.
TA: Why?
Me: That's the way God made us.
TA: Does EQ have a baby in her belly?
Me: No. She's too little. Only big people can have babies in their bellies.
TA: What if I want a baby in my belly one day?
Me: (Trying not to laugh) Sorry sweetie. You can't. That's the way God made us.
TA: OK. But I can still be a Daddy when I grow up!
Me: Absolutely.

Today was our semi-annual eye appt for TA and EQ. We go to Children's National Medical Center for the eye clinic with Dr. Brian Brooks - a genetic opthalmologist. Highlights include:
-metro rides (5 trains total - we try to sit behind the driver)
- 3 adults needed to hold down each child to get dilation drops in their eyes. Think wailing, kicking, screaming, hitting, gnashing of teeth. fun.
- snacks - despite the signs that said no food or drinks. It helped keep them happy(er)
-both need stronger glasses. TA's eyes are 2/100 & 4/100 and EQ's are 4/100 & 7/100. Basically - what we see at 100 feet, they see at the lower number. And we have to purchase new glasses. again.
- EQ's vision is better than TA's.
- EQ even has some pigment in her eye - a surprise to the doc and us. This is a good sign for her future vision.
- hospital food for lunch - at least it was kid friendly. (I hope so - it is a children's hospital)
- finally home again. We left the house at 8am for 1015/1030 appts. returned at 3:15pm. A long day!
- the lobby has 2 Mickey Mouse Statues...fun!


We don't have to repeat until July/August. Whew!

For Chinese New Year, we went to 2 celebrations. One was with the local FCC group. We sat with another family who recently adopted a little boy with Albnism from China and another family who is waiting to pick up their little girl. As you can see, EQ was TERRIFIED of the lion dancers. She kept saying, "Go potty. Pleeeeeaaaaassssseeee." And screaming. She did start to peak at the dancers toward the end. The drums were loud and I am sure that didn't help one bit!

On Feb 7 we took the kids to a nice restaurant to eat. The staff was wonderful and even talked to the kids some in Chinese. TA said, "Ni Hao." It is the year of the Rat this year.

The other event we went to was at a local mall. It was very crowded and we encountered some amazingly rude people. But I am over that. Really. They had dancers, zither players, crafts, and a variety of activities. Then we ate dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. Not very Chinese, but we ate Chinese 3 times that week. And the Chinese food here is NOTHING like the food in ?China. We loved the food in China and miss it at times. We also sent red envelopes home with the other children in their classes. Wonder how many realize that TA and EQ are even from China??

Hey there blogland!!! Like my new look?? I LOVE it! And it is all thanks to Rebecca of Artistree Blog Designs. Isn't it beautiful?!? The elements are based on Smarshmallows digital scrapbook kit. I have not had the time to venture into digital scrapbooking. And I have so much paper stuff that I need to use first... One Day...

Have fun!!!

C & S 1987 at C's Junior Prom

Twenty-one years ago today, I was dating this guy from The Citadel. I was 16 years old and a junior at Wando High School. The year was 1987. We met when he was dating my best friend the previous fall. We were on one of our first dates and walking around the Battery and talking. I even remember what I was wearing that day. It was a denim skirt with a yolk front, a light blue denim shirt with a little bit of lace on the front, a wide red belt and red flats. Bangs were permed, hair was long. Very 80's. He was wearing his grey wool uniform (salt and pepper). We went over to the gazebo and ****HE KISSED ME**** It was our FIRST kiss!!!! Valentine's Day 1987


Gazebo, White Point Gardens, Battery Park, Charleston, SC


View of the Gazebo

Who knew that we'd get married 14 years later? We returned to the gazebo for photos on our wedding day.


Our Wedding Day, April 28, 2001 at the Gazabo

We enjoy watching Inside the Actors Studio on Bravo. James Lipton, the host, always asks a series of question based on the Pruost Questionnaire. I thought it would be fun to answer them...feel free to include your answers in the comments.


What is your favorite word?
Antidisestablishmentarianism - it bounces on your tongue!

What is your least favorite word?
c**t (I can't even type it!)

What turns you on?
helping others

What turns you off?
rude drivers

What sound or noise do you love?
My children's belly laughs

What sound or noise do you hate?
fingernails on a chalkboard, rubbing styrofoam

What is your favorite curse word?
crap

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Stay at home Mom

What profession would you not like to do?
House cleaner

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
Welcome home. Here is your baby to hold.

February. Winter. 70 degrees tomorrow.

One of those things is not like the others.

I need SNOW!!!! COLD!!! WINTER!!! I want to be socked in for a few days. Bundle up the kids the kids and play in the snow. Make a snowman, make snow angels, throw snowballs at Daddy. Make cookies and hot cocoa. Play games in our jammies while outside is a blanket of white. Not be able to go anywhere because the roads are blocked.

Where is winter????

...maybe capris tomorrow...at least I still have a tan from the cruise...