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| Feeling Very Grown-Up |
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| Girly Smiles |
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| Lovely Grace |
Thursday, February 24, 2011
A Special Day for Father and Daughter...
Miss Grace's school had a lovely dance for Father's and Daughter's. It was a day to remember for all...
It's taken a bit, but I'm back...
The last two weeks have not been good for our family. On Friday, February 11th I received terrible news from my niece, Kim. My sister gave up her courageous battle with cancer and went home to be with Jesus. It's still hard to fully conceive the reality of this still even as I type. Our only consolation is that she is well again, no more sickness, no more chemo, no more radiation. Just peace, so much deserved.
She was remarkable, I'll never do justice to the impact that she had on so many people with my feeble words. She made a career of helping those who were the "have-nots", and she did it with grace, mercy and total acceptance with not a hint of judging. Her eternal rewards are being enjoyed now I'm sure. Back here, she is being rewarded too. The shelter where she worked is dedicating a garden in her memory on March 10th, six days after her birthday. A lovely place bearing her name to rest the weary soul--a perfect parallell to who she was to those she advocated for. I will miss you so, my dear sister and friend.
She was remarkable, I'll never do justice to the impact that she had on so many people with my feeble words. She made a career of helping those who were the "have-nots", and she did it with grace, mercy and total acceptance with not a hint of judging. Her eternal rewards are being enjoyed now I'm sure. Back here, she is being rewarded too. The shelter where she worked is dedicating a garden in her memory on March 10th, six days after her birthday. A lovely place bearing her name to rest the weary soul--a perfect parallell to who she was to those she advocated for. I will miss you so, my dear sister and friend.
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| A Special Day, Special Memories |
Monday, January 17, 2011
A lovely location discovered...
Last year was Grace's first time on snowshoes, she did great and she loved it. Now that the snow is really here to stay we decided to take her on another excursion. After much family debate we chose a new location that we'd never been to before.
It's a newly created preserve in our town and I'm confident our friend, Mr. B., Sr., had ALOT to do with bringing it into existence. He volunteers tirelessly to ensure our town will always keep it's green space and to protect the "Wild Things" among us. We owe him a big thanks. I guess I'll have lots of questions for him around the campfire this summer. What a great story teller he is to young and old alike; I could sit and listen for hours, and have! He is likely the closest Ye-Ye that Grace will ever have. She has even called him Grampa one or twice. I think he was flattered and would happily add one more to his flock.
Our walk started before the snow began. It was simply a brisk, fairly clear day, perfect. Miss Grace took a few minutes to get her "snow legs" since last year.
With a few pointers from Mom, she was clipping right along in no time. A real natural.
One of my favorite things about hiking with little ones is helping them discover the awe in nature. All things are designed by our Creator with a plan and a purpose. We were fortunate to come upon a milkweed pod that had dried and it's beautiful silk and seeds were still intact. A mini-science lesson opportunity taken! We of course left it there for someone else (perhaps a furry or feathered friend) to enjoy.
Then all of a sudden the snow began to fall. It was absolutely awesome. We felt like we were living in a snow shaker!
The whole character of the trail changed once the snow came. All of a sudden the world took on a stillness. It felt wilder, chillier and farther away from home. A great adventure for our little one.
All along the trail are bitter sweet vines. I happened to catch this shot as we crossed a stream. For Christmas, Peter and I bought each other a Nikon D90. Wehe learns a lot quicker than me have a lot to learn but it sure makes moments like this fun to catch!
Then just as Miss Grace was getting tired and ready to turn back, we found this really cool tree. Check out the bark, it looks like a pattern. I'm now on a quest to find out what kind it is. More later on that...
A lovely day indeed to enjoy nature's beauty.
Still hearing the snow fall ~Kate-Lyn~
It's a newly created preserve in our town and I'm confident our friend, Mr. B., Sr., had ALOT to do with bringing it into existence. He volunteers tirelessly to ensure our town will always keep it's green space and to protect the "Wild Things" among us. We owe him a big thanks. I guess I'll have lots of questions for him around the campfire this summer. What a great story teller he is to young and old alike; I could sit and listen for hours, and have! He is likely the closest Ye-Ye that Grace will ever have. She has even called him Grampa one or twice. I think he was flattered and would happily add one more to his flock.
Our walk started before the snow began. It was simply a brisk, fairly clear day, perfect. Miss Grace took a few minutes to get her "snow legs" since last year.
With a few pointers from Mom, she was clipping right along in no time. A real natural.
Then all of a sudden the snow began to fall. It was absolutely awesome. We felt like we were living in a snow shaker!
The whole character of the trail changed once the snow came. All of a sudden the world took on a stillness. It felt wilder, chillier and farther away from home. A great adventure for our little one.
All along the trail are bitter sweet vines. I happened to catch this shot as we crossed a stream. For Christmas, Peter and I bought each other a Nikon D90. We
Then just as Miss Grace was getting tired and ready to turn back, we found this really cool tree. Check out the bark, it looks like a pattern. I'm now on a quest to find out what kind it is. More later on that...
Still hearing the snow fall ~Kate-Lyn~
Sunday, January 9, 2011
A busy, fun weekend...
...for the kids that is. But then again, we had fun too. It started on Friday right after school. With the car loaded with lacrosse gear, Barbie/KaiLan videos, snacks, winter gear and a map we picked up Ross at his school. Then we got Grace at her school. Ross was given the amazing opportunity to play in a JV/Varsity Tournament at Hobart and Williams College so how could we NOT go, even if it was scary weather?!
It was snowing heavily and it was icy; we had a three and a half hour drive ahead of us. For the most part it was an uneventful drive, thank You God. We arrived at our hotel on schedule and the hotel was great.
Ross no sooner saw a teammate than he asked did Ross bring running shoes? Er...(insert crickets chirping here), no, why? Well, says the teammate, no cleats are allowed. G-r-e-a-t, guess our "journey" is not over. So, out they went on a different quest this time. By God's grace (this I know), in this podunky town, they found a reasonably priced ($59.00), size 10.5 pair of running shoes. WHEW! OK, now we could relax after that long, drive.
The next morning we arose at 6:00 a.m. to ready for the day. After a big breakfast (did I mention they have chocolate chips muffins there?!), we went to the field house. I know Ross had butterflies in his stomach, but do you think he showed it? Not. At. All. Gotta love that kid!
The short and long of the day is that he did great. He competed every bit as well as the Seniors he played alongside of. Yes he knows he has a lot to learn, but through this he's come to see his strengths too. I am very proud of him; he has worked hard for this opportunity. Seize the moment son!
She was working the bleachers, selling candy bars for her school.
She sold over 50 candy bars in less than and hour and a half. Mmm-hmmm, good haul, you go girl!
Then on Sunday, the day she'd waited for, for s-o-o long...soccer began!!!! Well, sort of. Due to a major break in communications (we were not notified of a time change-GRRRR!), we were a half an hour late. I must say though, she was a real trooper and rolled with the punches just fine.
So here she is on her first BIG, long-anticipated (she'd ask me every morning how many more days until soccer starts) first day of SOCCER!!!
And somenot so great video footage too...
I suppose I don't need to say that she can't wait for next week do I? Yup, busy and fun. Sometimes Monday looks good, just so we can slow down a bit, lol!
Still smilin' ~ Kate-Lyn
It was snowing heavily and it was icy; we had a three and a half hour drive ahead of us. For the most part it was an uneventful drive, thank You God. We arrived at our hotel on schedule and the hotel was great.
Ross no sooner saw a teammate than he asked did Ross bring running shoes? Er...(insert crickets chirping here), no, why? Well, says the teammate, no cleats are allowed. G-r-e-a-t, guess our "journey" is not over. So, out they went on a different quest this time. By God's grace (this I know), in this podunky town, they found a reasonably priced ($59.00), size 10.5 pair of running shoes. WHEW! OK, now we could relax after that long, drive.
The next morning we arose at 6:00 a.m. to ready for the day. After a big breakfast (did I mention they have chocolate chips muffins there?!), we went to the field house. I know Ross had butterflies in his stomach, but do you think he showed it? Not. At. All. Gotta love that kid!
The short and long of the day is that he did great. He competed every bit as well as the Seniors he played alongside of. Yes he knows he has a lot to learn, but through this he's come to see his strengths too. I am very proud of him; he has worked hard for this opportunity. Seize the moment son!
Yup, it was a busy, fun day. Oh, and did I mention what Grace was doing?
Then on Sunday, the day she'd waited for, for s-o-o long...soccer began!!!! Well, sort of. Due to a major break in communications (we were not notified of a time change-GRRRR!), we were a half an hour late. I must say though, she was a real trooper and rolled with the punches just fine.
So here she is on her first BIG, long-anticipated (she'd ask me every morning how many more days until soccer starts) first day of SOCCER!!!
And some
I suppose I don't need to say that she can't wait for next week do I? Yup, busy and fun. Sometimes Monday looks good, just so we can slow down a bit, lol!
Still smilin' ~ Kate-Lyn
Sunday, January 2, 2011
A new year, and new friends...
This morning we enjoyed a lovely brunch with several other families with daughters from China. The brunch was coordinated by my new friend Lori. She graciously included Elizabeth's family and ours into her group that has met for over 12 years now. I met Lori through our balloon festival volunteer work. Her daughters* are a little older than our Grace and for that I am very thankful. It gives me insight into the future as I hear of the place that they are in their journey--a great blessing indeed!
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| back row (l-r) Alana-Hefei, Anhui; *Kaylee-Chongqing, Sichuan; Hannah- Chengdu, Sichuan; *Kara-Chongqing, Sichuan front row (l-r) Grace - Bengbu, Anhui; Elizabeth - Nanning, Jiangxi |
Friday, December 24, 2010
You Just Can't Stop the Jollyness...
I just HAD to post this photo our friend shared with us from his work. Apparently some carpenters on the job had the holiday joy get the best of them and created this electrical masterpiece from items on the worksite.
You just can't stop the jollyness...
You just can't stop the jollyness...
Saturday, December 18, 2010
I've been told...
that it's time I give some attention to the blog. I admit I've been slacking--in the blogosphere that is. Sometimes I just don't know if something is "blog-worthy" so I wait.
Well, November came and went in a whirl through our household. Miss Grace tried out a few weeks of Tae Kwon Do at her school. She did good and seemed to like it, well enough. But, not a lot. So, her next adventure is Art Classes. For this, she is really excited. Oh how I wish my Dad were here to see his budding artist. They'd be spending hours at the table together. Lost in time and thought, chatting about the next project. I know he's watching from heaven and smiling. November also brought some nice recognition at school for Miss Grace. She was selected as Student of the Month. This is what her teacher has said, "Miss Grace has been chosen as star student due to her excellent display of the MTA value: service. Displaying an awesome sense of sharing and hard work, Miss Grace has proven to be a shining Star Student!" She was very pleased to be chosen and we are equally proud of her accomplishment. She's come SO far from the days that I left her clinging to me in tears. Praise God!
November's recap wouldn't be complete if I didn't mention lacrosse now would it? We had two memorable tournaments and a few others that were not so memorable but fun anyway. So, the first was in Fort Ann in early November and the only word that comes to mind is FRIGID. I've inserted a photo to demonstrate this. Notice most players in sweatpants? This is a VERY uncommon sight on the lacrosse field. What this photo does not depict is the snow squall occurring right behind us up in the mountains behind the field, which is down in the valley below. That arctic wind swept down on the field with a ferocity that felt like January. The next three days Ross had aching joints and muscles from the extreme conditions. I hope we NEVER play in those conditions again. Did I mention that most of us parents on the sidelines got windburn that looked like sunburn on our faces? Mean, mean weather.
By contrast, only two weeks after that was another tournament close to home that had the boys out in their pinnies and NO SHIRTS!
Notice the smiling parents on the sidelines? No hats, mittens, scarves, AND blankets to keep warm. We came prepard though, still scarred from the prior blizzard, lol! Craziness I must say, only in upstate New York.
December kicked off to a fun start with our annual Santa Train Event at Aunty S's and Uncle Fix-it's house. This year we included even MORE friends!
Next was the MTA Christmas Show. I cannot say how awesome it is that Miss Grace's school is bible-based, prayer-driven and Jesus's name is spoken without hesitation. The program went off without a hitch and we just smiled the whole time, listening to the joyful, sweet voices of her schoolmates. The teachers put alot of hard work into the program and it showed! Our Miss Grace is the brown goat, just to the left of the manger. And you'll see her with her class singing Jingle Bells, she is in the center.
Tonight was a big social event that she's anticpated for SO long. It was Mocha Gracie's birthday party at the Tiny Tots Tea Room. She wanted me to curl her hair for this special night.
And so I did.
All ready to party like a Princess!
Wishing all my bloggy friends a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, blessed New Year!
Joyful and Blessed
~Kate-Lyn~
Well, November came and went in a whirl through our household. Miss Grace tried out a few weeks of Tae Kwon Do at her school. She did good and seemed to like it, well enough. But, not a lot. So, her next adventure is Art Classes. For this, she is really excited. Oh how I wish my Dad were here to see his budding artist. They'd be spending hours at the table together. Lost in time and thought, chatting about the next project. I know he's watching from heaven and smiling. November also brought some nice recognition at school for Miss Grace. She was selected as Student of the Month. This is what her teacher has said, "Miss Grace has been chosen as star student due to her excellent display of the MTA value: service. Displaying an awesome sense of sharing and hard work, Miss Grace has proven to be a shining Star Student!" She was very pleased to be chosen and we are equally proud of her accomplishment. She's come SO far from the days that I left her clinging to me in tears. Praise God!
November's recap wouldn't be complete if I didn't mention lacrosse now would it? We had two memorable tournaments and a few others that were not so memorable but fun anyway. So, the first was in Fort Ann in early November and the only word that comes to mind is FRIGID. I've inserted a photo to demonstrate this. Notice most players in sweatpants? This is a VERY uncommon sight on the lacrosse field. What this photo does not depict is the snow squall occurring right behind us up in the mountains behind the field, which is down in the valley below. That arctic wind swept down on the field with a ferocity that felt like January. The next three days Ross had aching joints and muscles from the extreme conditions. I hope we NEVER play in those conditions again. Did I mention that most of us parents on the sidelines got windburn that looked like sunburn on our faces? Mean, mean weather.
By contrast, only two weeks after that was another tournament close to home that had the boys out in their pinnies and NO SHIRTS!
Notice the smiling parents on the sidelines? No hats, mittens, scarves, AND blankets to keep warm. We came prepard though, still scarred from the prior blizzard, lol! Craziness I must say, only in upstate New York.
December kicked off to a fun start with our annual Santa Train Event at Aunty S's and Uncle Fix-it's house. This year we included even MORE friends!
What a Holy Night!
And so I did.
All ready to party like a Princess!
Wishing all my bloggy friends a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, blessed New Year!
Joyful and Blessed
~Kate-Lyn~
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