Meanderings of life

Life's Best Gifts

2010-10-21T20:24:00.001-07:00

This is what makes life worth

living everyday! My "gifts" from God.

July 2010

My budding Scientist

2010-10-21T20:07:00.000-07:00

Isabella loves to learn...

Her favorite subjects-science & math

(go figure, a little asian girl who loves math & science :))

This is her latest "disgusting & gross" experiment.

Growing bacteria...

The "Bed Head Fairy" visits Isabella

2010-10-21T20:00:00.000-07:00

Even with short hair, the "bed head fairy" seems

to love to visit Isabella

and mess with her hair!

a "WICKED" good time

2010-10-21T19:17:00.000-07:00

We headed to Memphis for a "girls road trip" to see the Broadway show "WICKED".
Some of the girls decorated wallets or t-shirts for the trip. Carly decorated an awesome wallet. She is such a creative girl! I loved spending my time taking her to the show. The show was incredible, the girls were precious and time with my Carly girl was the BEST.

Autographs for the girls-what fun!

The Road trip- Singing "WICKED" songs !!

Paris Sculpture

2010-10-20T08:10:00.000-07:00

Scuplture's of Paris

The Little "G' girls (as they called themsleves) made a sculpture of Paris while I was helping older sister with her schoolwork. As told my Grace & Bella- The colorful Eifel Tower in the background, the long, thin road with a car headed to the house at the end of the road. The grass is blowing in the wind. Isabella made the grass, the skinny piece of road, the Eifel tower and the "G" for the ("G" girls). Grace made the colorful car, the house and the 2 fat pieces of road. So creative....This all started out by making a heart and it got turned upside down and Bella said it looked like the Eifel Tower in Paris. What great imaginations & creativity. I love when Isabella is "learning" and we aren't even doing school. I LOVE HOMESHOOLING.

2010-07-21T07:32:00.000-07:00

More hair pictures....
These pictures should be on a previous post "Locks for Love" but I can't seem to figure out how to move them :( So it is out of order...

More Sleepovers

2010-07-20T21:48:00.000-07:00

Sleepover fun with Meiyah & MeiLin. Tents and sleeping under the bed. These girls have so much fun together and get along so well. We are so thankful for good friends!

Sleepovers

2010-07-20T21:42:00.000-07:00

Isabella has started having sleepovers! Since she has turned 6 years old she is quite
social bug. Her first sleepover was at her friend, Grace's house. Bella had a blast.
Here is a picture of Grace & B watching scooby doo at our house (her then 3rd sleepover).
I guess watching TV is much more fun in a box! Notice how tired they look....
Those 2 have so much energy together-its amazing!

Starting Over....

2010-07-20T21:16:00.000-07:00

Well here I go again. I am going to try and start updating my blog more regularly. I miss scrapbooking so very much and truly have a passion for documenting our lives...So in an attempt to do that without scrapbooking-here I go.....

So much has happend in the past year and a half (wow, has it really been that long since I updated the blog !?!?!). We have recently moved-we built a house-I will post pictures later. We are really enjoying our new home and feel so blessed that Gods plan is ALWAYS the best plan. Even when we aren't sure what the next step is going to be, we KNOW that God knows, and He is able to do immeasureably more than we could ever imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)

I am sure the next few posts are going to be totally out of order as I put some of my favorite pictures and memories if the past year.

Well....here goes.

Locks For Love

2010-07-20T16:07:00.000-07:00

July 15th, 2010

Isabella gave her hair for "locks of love". She gave 11". We had just had 2" cut off the week before for our trip to St. Louis for her adoption reunion. She had a lot of hair. I loved her hair but it was so hard to take care of. It was always getting tangled. Now it is so east to care for and so very cute. She loves it!

My life of fun!

2009-04-22T20:16:00.000-07:00

Isabella always keep us "rolling" with laughter and sometimes you just have to laugh instead of cry. After Easter, Isabella had taken 2 baskets full of plastic Easter grass and spread it all over my house (it was really fun to throw at each other :)0 but then she got carried away and it was in every room.... Well after a "couple" of days trying to clean it all up-now I have a new mess... Isabella had a friend over and they decided to try and "lure" the cat upstairs. I will let the video explain the rest...

Homeschool Heaven

2009-04-21T22:03:00.000-07:00

We love to homeschool....One of the best parts of homeschooling is....learning and homework can take place ANYWHERE. And when spring is in the air- what better place to do your homework than in a tree. Then, how about the entire family joining in:)

Water Fireworks

2009-04-21T21:31:00.000-07:00

Isabella got a snorkel & goggles for Easter and tried them out in the tub. While she was playing, she said "look Mom, water fireworks". She had so much fun.

Memories

2009-04-21T21:14:00.000-07:00

Since I am not "on the ball" with my scrapbooking- I decided to go ahead and use my blog to document memories that I would usually document in the scrapbook- in high hopes of someday printing this blog and using it to scrapbook- although I may be a grandma when that day actually comes. But in the meantime, I thought this was a great way to journal, add pictures and it is "online" so if my computer dies (as it did a couple of weeks ago) at least I will have the memories..... I LOVE to scrapbook & journaling and would love to document every moment of this precious life I have BUT then I wouldn't have time to actually be making the memories:) I have a terrible memory- even things I think are really funny or important, that I think I will remember- I forget! But if I write down the little things, the entire event or moment comes back to mind. I love remembering all the funny little things my girls say or do. I wish I could bottle up all the wonderful moments and keep reliving them over and over.

My AWESOME Daughter

2009-02-23T21:08:00.000-08:00

I sometimes sit in amazement of the children God has blessed me with. They are growing up so quickly, especially Carly. She has been taking a Digital Arts & Science class at a tutorial this year and she is completing a "project blog" this week before Spring Break. I checked out her Blog tonight and was truly amazed at her creativity. I hope you will check it out, I am sure you will enjoy it. I am very proud of her creativity and mostly proud of all her hard work! Way to go Carly! http://hobbies103.blogspot.com/

This is my sweet, precious daughter- hard at work!! I am so proud :):) Luv ya Car, Car...

Chinese New Year Jan. 26th

2009-02-13T01:46:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!! ok- well at least Chinese New Year. Sorry my posts are a little out of order- not sure how to fix that...I am so behind on getting pictures up here.

We had a Chinese New year Party at our house for about 17 kids & 9 adults. What a sweet blessing it was to me to have my home filled with such activity from all of these precious gifts from God. Most of the kids are adopted- many from China, some special needs. Oh what sweet little children they are. It was such a joy to get to interact with all of them, to watch them play, to see their smiles and to feel the love in the house. It never ceases to amaze me how God orchestrates the building of families through biological birth & adoption. How each little one is a perfect addition to their own family, some that are adopted even "look" like their families. It is amazing. Each different personality- a gift-even though sometimes it is hard for us Moms to see the "sweetness" everyday- it is there-shown in an eye-catching smile, or their captivating eyes.

Chinese New Year Jan.26th

2009-02-13T01:42:00.000-08:00

T working hard on those lanterns

group story time

Snack time!

Chinese New Year

2009-02-13T01:37:00.000-08:00

Chinese Lanterns

Jarett

Pin the tail on the Ox

Carly the craft helper! (what would I do without her :))

Sweet hands busy creating masterpeices!

Chinese New Year- Jan. 26th

2009-02-13T01:33:00.000-08:00

Doing crafts!!!

I couldn't have set this up so perfectly!

sweet Zion...

Craft table-lots of busy hands.

Yummy cupcakes!

Family Circus

2009-02-12T17:05:00.000-08:00

January 25th

We surprised the girls with a trip to the circus. It was such a blast! We usually have family movie night on Sunday evenings and so we told them we were going to grab a bite to eat and we wouldn't tell them where. We headed to Nashville and ate at the spaghetti factory. We still had not told them we were going to the circus but that we had something else to do. Then Carly heard someone in the bathroom telling her little girl to hurry up they needed to get to the circus. So she had guessed it! Both girls were so excited. It was Isabella's first time and I think Carly was more excited about seeing Isabella's reaction than anything else. We had such a fun night. It was such a treat to get out and do something different.

They were giving away these cute little clown noses and we were all wearing them but Isabella's wouldn't stay on her her cute little Chinese nose- she kept saying its because I'm Asian and my nose is smaller. It was so cute!

I think the elephants are always my favorite !!! We are trying to get Isabella in shape for the circus!

I think she would make a great contortionist.

God must have a sense of humor

2009-02-12T08:15:00.000-08:00

You know how you sit and make a "plan", a well thought out schedule of events and then something changes your entire week around and you just have to sit back and let go of the steering wheel and see where you land- this has been my week:) I have to laugh because no matter how many times I learn-over and over again- that I am not in control, I never seem to really "get it" I still plan my days & week and then when something happens that changes that "plan" I get such a great reminder of how little I am in control and how God truly loves me enough to keep taking the steering wheel and guiding me down a different path, whether I like it or not....Let me explain..

This week I was "supposed" to go everyday to the doctor for some tests and shots to check and make sure my thyroid cancer had not come back. I had the entire week planned out accordingly. I was really looking forward to Friday night (a Valentine Date with my hubby) and Saturday an entire day devoted to celebrating Valentine's with my girls. You see last year I was having radiation therapy during Valentine's Day and both my girls were in KY. We have always loved Valentine's and made it a big production. I usually make a wonderful meal and the girls and Dad make a yummy chocolate dessert and then we sit in the dining room and have a lovely meal together. Well that all changed when I went to the doctor on Tuesday (the 2nd day of shots) and I wanted to clarify some information with Nuclear medicine. I went down to the Nuclear medicine department to find out what time I had to be there on Friday and they proceeded to tell me the things I needed to prepare to do for my body scan on Friday- the nuclear medicine I was supposed to take on Wed. was only 4 mcui and last year I had 100 mcui and had to be in the hospital for 2 days then isolation for 1 1/2 weeks. So I had been told this time I would not have all of these precautions since the radiation was minimal. Well-----the guys at Nuclear Medicine proceeded to tell me that I needed to be in isolation again (not in the hospital and not for as long) and that is was dangerous to be around my kids---so within an hour, my whole week changed. I immediately called my parents (thank you Mom & Dad for always being available!) and take Isabella to them and then change the rest of plans for the week so that I could stay in my office away from people. WHEW! it was a whirlwind. But- it has all worked out fine. and now I have time to update my blog. Although- my keyboard, mouse, telephone & TV remote are covered with plastic wrap :) and any papers I touch- I have to wear gloves....Valentine's Day will be celebrated- just late again this year :) Mom & Dad, I hope you enjoy my precious baby and give her lots of hugs & kisses from her Mommy.

Funny Face Girls

2009-02-02T22:47:00.001-08:00

My Funny girls. Isn't is amazing what fun a trip to the dollar store can conjure up.

GOD

2008-12-20T08:44:00.000-08:00

WOW! Is all I can say this season, this week, this day, this moment. I have been overwhelemd lately in seeing Gods hand working on our lives and the lives of others. It truly makes you feel so small in this huge world that God holds in His hands but yet still so important, so loved, so very cared for even in the small things. This "journey" of our lives never ceases to amaze me. Once I think I have it all figured out God changes the story line, brings someone new in our lives, brings a new circumstance, someone new to pray for- its always changing.

I am still learning!!!

2008-12-13T21:10:00.000-08:00

By the way- I finally learned how to add multiple photos to one post (thank you very much Carly) and I even tried a couple of videos... Hopefully I will continue how to manuver around this blog- if Carly will keep helping me.... I love that girl!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

2008-12-13T21:05:00.000-08:00

Thursday evening about 5:00 is began to snow a bit. We were headed to basketball practice and couldn't even get down Columbia Pike because of the cars not being able to get up the hills. Sooooo whats a family to do but stop at Chilis, have some chips & salsa and wait until the road clears of traffic :) Then when we got home-----there was a great snow filled yard for the girls to play in. Of course, they ran right out (not really dressed for snow) but had a great time building a little snow man. The next morning, the snow was even more perfect for making "BIG" snowmen. It was great... What a blessing to get us in the Christmas spirit.

2008-12-13T20:47:00.000-08:00

It's Snowing

2008-12-13T20:45:00.000-08:00

Our First Snow

2008-12-13T20:23:00.000-08:00

Isabella's Masterpeice

2008-12-09T05:15:00.001-08:00

Isabella's Masterpeice
Originally uploaded by carlyg321

Carly's Masterpeice

2008-12-09T05:14:00.001-08:00

Carly's Masterpeice
Originally uploaded by carlyg321

The girls & I spent Friday morning making gingerbread houses with our homeschool group. I should say the girls made the houses, Mommy just cleaned up.... I am so thankful that the homeschool group set this up because I probably would not have taken on this endeavor at home... The masterpeices created that day were priceless. A HUGE thanks to Valerie & Vanessa for setting this up!

Friends

2008-12-09T05:04:00.001-08:00

Friends
Originally uploaded by carlyg321

Isabella & I attended the CHI Christmas party and met up with some "China girlfriends".... What happy faces when they get together....

Singing Christmas Carols

2008-12-09T04:58:00.001-08:00

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Originally uploaded by carlyg321

Violin Lessons?

2008-12-09T04:57:00.001-08:00

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Originally uploaded by carlyg321

Fun & Games

2008-12-09T04:56:00.001-08:00

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Originally uploaded by carlyg321

Christmas Celebrations

2008-12-09T04:44:00.000-08:00

We are so blessed to have an awesome Sunday School class and such wonderful loving people to "share life" with. This past Friday night we hosted a small gathering with food, fellowship & a competitive game of bible scattergories. What a blast. I am so thankful for these folks in our lives. We also are fortunate enough to have some musically talented people in the group who shared their violin with my girls and blessed us with their singing of some Christmas carols, along with Carly playing the piano, Lisa on the violin & Bill on the guitar. We loved having our home with with such beautiful music.

It's December !!

2008-12-04T14:24:00.001-08:00

Well it is already December- the year is almost over. I cannot believe it has gone by so quickly. We are in full swing for this month of worship & praise and thinking of our heavenly Father and the great anticipation of Jesus's birth. Each year we say we are going to try and do all of the Advent ideas, bake cookies & candies and relax---well I THINK this may actually happen this year. Today was Carly's last day of school (except for 1 hour next week for her mid term test in Computer Science) so we are on our way!!

I actually got Christmas pictures done this year for our card and here are a couple of pics of the girls.

I spent the day cooking with a friend and we put 11 meals in the freezer- each..It was a blast and we were finished by 2pm (we even made a salad for tonight and all the dishes were cleaned and put away---I don't even get all of that done by myself :)0 Anyway, with meals in the freezer and Carly out of school early we are going to start baking next week.... I can't wait.

We have also started our nightly Advent devotion and Carly & I are reading Bartholomew's Passage (we did Jotham's journey last year) http://www.amazon.com/Jothams-Journey-Storybook-Arnold-Ytreeide/dp/0825441749/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222924353&sr=8-1

It is really nice to have something to do nightly to make us stop and think about what the season is really about.

Staircase Sliding

2008-11-23T16:49:00.005-08:00

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Originally uploaded by carlyg321

Carly & a friend decided this was a great alternative to the amusement park.

Staircase sliding

2008-11-23T16:49:00.003-08:00

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Originally uploaded by carlyg321

Staircase sliding

2008-11-23T16:49:00.001-08:00

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Originally uploaded by carlyg321

Staircase Sliding

2008-11-23T16:48:00.001-08:00

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Originally uploaded by carlyg321

My girls

2008-11-23T16:47:00.001-08:00

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Originally uploaded by carlyg321

A trip to Ring Farm

Dressing Up Isabella

2008-11-23T16:46:00.003-08:00

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Originally uploaded by carlyg321

Dress Up

2008-11-23T16:46:00.001-08:00

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Originally uploaded by carlyg321

One of my girls favorite things to do is dress up. Carly has pretty much done this almost everyday of her life since her 2nd birthday when she got her first trunk of dress up clothes. It used to be so simple---now she is into making movies when she dresses up.
This is Carly & her friend Olivia... They make movies together all the time. Their name is Peanut Butter & Jelly productions (I think) I will have to try and learn how to post a video....

Feeding the babies

2008-11-23T16:43:00.003-08:00

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Originally uploaded by carlyg321

Elizabeth & Isabella

2008-11-23T16:43:00.001-08:00

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Originally uploaded by carlyg321

Hatcher Dairy Farm

2008-11-23T16:41:00.001-08:00

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Originally uploaded by carlyg321

Isabella had a field trip to the Hatcher Dairy Farm last week. It was so much fun. I am not sure who had more fun her or I. Here are some pictures from our adventure.

Welcome to our nest

2008-11-23T16:31:00.000-08:00

Hi there

I am hoping that this will be a wonderful way for my family to keep up with the Meanderings of our life here at the Gresham house. Life is usually hilarious at our house and on a daily basis there is always some mishap (usually Isabella climbing on soemthing and us praising God for her safety). I am learning to "blog" and keep pictures online right along with Carly. Check out her blogs. http://whatisbeading.blogspot.com/

Butter Time

2008-11-22T20:36:00.001-08:00

Butter Time
Originally uploaded by carlyg321

Hatcher Dairy Field Trip

Getting ready to eat the homemade butter- it was so delicious!