Saturday (CNY Weekend)

Before I get too far into this post I just wanted to update everyone on the China weather reports. I have been comforted by reading a post on the Grace and Hope website that states that all of the children in Yulin are with foster families, safe, and warm. Our Hope's foster care was sponsored through this organization and we are so grateful for the amazing work they do in Guangxi (among other provinces). Many areas are still struggling. Please keep up your prayers for the people there, especially the children, as they continue to persevere through this winter.

Now for the fun! We celebrated Chinese New Year last weekend. We had so much fun with Mark and Andria (AND, we must not forget Stella) visiting for a couple of days. Hope loves her aunt and uncle and she is completely smitten with their dog. :) Hope asks about Stella at least 4-5 times a day. Well, we've all been sick around here. Hope just finished her antibiotic this morning and since she's been coughing on us for the past couple of weeks, Ron and I are both fighting colds as well. In spite of it all, we still had our party. Hope had her 1st haircut, we cooked some yummy food, everyone attempted chopsticks, we matched zodiac descriptions with our guests (only guessing 1 correctly out of 7), Hope dressed up...it was a great weekend.

Enjoy all the photos ~

Happy New Year! I found the short list below on another blog. Please don't ask me for pronounciations. :)

Gong Xi Fa Cai! 新年快樂 "Happy Chinese New Year!"
Xin nian yu kuai! Mandarin "Happy New Year!"
Sun nien fai lok! Cantonese "Happy New Year!"
Gung Hay Fat Choy! A Cantonese New Year greeting meaning "May you become prosperous!"

This was our "Year of the Rat" pudding after lunch - We all made our own. It was sort of fun to pass out choc. chips, nilla wafers, and chow mein noodles and listen to the conversation about what in the world we were going to do with them. :)

Hope was into the chow mein noodles.

Weekend Pals ~ Ella and Stella

Before

During




Sorry - no immediate after photo. Nap time came soon after the cut. We took advantage and used the time to fold wontons.



Mom and I get the woks ready.

Chopstick Success!!!





Dessert! Gotta love Hope's expression here as she checks out the cakes. We also had fortune cookies of course. Some were even chocolate dipped! MMMMMmmmmmm!


Bedtime stories with Auntie Andria and Uncle Mark (Watch out for those crazy puppies!)



Good night Stella.

I think that's it for tonight. I'll have to work on a post of the photos from Sunday soon. Hope you all had a wonderful day today. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! We feel pretty blessed to finally have our own personal little valentine home with us. She sure can spread the smiles, laughter, and love that this day seems to be about!

OK - a couple more...This was Hope getting ready to come home when I picked her up today. SWEET! :)