Videos of Kaleigh in gymnastics and Kenzie's 3rd birthday

The following videos are of Kenzie's third birthday. She had a great day! The weather cooperated with us, so we took the girls to the zoo and of course had cake and ice cream. I don't know what it is with little people and birthdays but to them it is the best day next to Christmas. Kaleigh also celebrated her sixth birthday recently but we are going to share some of her gymnastics clips. These videos were taken in January about three weeks before her sixth birthday. It is amazing to see the progress she has made since we posted the last videos about six months earlier.

We are currently enjoying our Spring Break Vacation and loving every minute of it. Tomorrow is our last day off prior to getting back into the swing of things. We hope everyone is doing well. Also, scroll down to see a few still pictures. Love, Jill.

March 2009

Sorry it has been soooo long since I last updated this blog. It is strange that I just don't have the time to do this much any more. My girls are growing up so fast and boy does time fly when you are having fun. The pictures of the girls with my dad are on Saint Patrick's Day (Dad's birthday). Some are of the girls at Kenzie's birthday and there is even one with the girls over Memorial Day Balloon Fest. Hope you enjoy. JILL

Quick Flicks of Summer

Lori, here are some current stills and videos of the girls. I am sorry we were not able to get together with you guys. I hope that all of you are well. Enjoy the rest of your summer and hopefully we can see you soon. Love, JILL

Kaleigh graduated from preschool in May of 2008. This is a small clip of Kaleigh, Kenzie and Kaleigh's best friend Abby at graduation.

Just a quick video of the two girls playing in their p.j.'s around the house today. Kenzie is a little fussy and tired.

Kaleigh's gymnastics practice

In April of 2008, Kaleigh decided she wanted to start gymnastics because her cousin Loralie was having so much fun with her practices. So, here is a video of Kaleigh in one of her private lessons. She has been doing gymnastics now for about 3 1/2 months, loving every minute of it and hasn't stopped since she started. Literally, Kaleigh does gymnastics all day long.

At the beginning of this video, Kaleigh is doing some cartwheels on a low beam. A lady wearing black shorts, t-shirt and baseball cap walks by Kaleigh. This is Jaycie Phelps-McClure. She won gold in the 1996 Olympics as a member of the Magnificent 7 gymnastics team, along with Shannon Miller. Jaycie is one of the coaches at Kaleigh's gym.

The coaches tell Kaleigh she has really nice "lines". Kaleigh always points her toes and works nicely on her hand placements. In this video she is performing round-offs for the first time. She has the concept of cartwheels down. The coaches always tell her to land one foot then the other. So, now the idea of having to land both feet at the same time is very new but, Kaleigh catches on quickly.

Rachael Sobottka is Kaleigh's coach. Kaleigh loves Racheal and looks forward to gymnastic practices. In this clip, Kaleigh is working on the skills she needs to perform back handsprings. This is one of Kaleigh's favorite activities.

In this clip, Kaleigh is working on the uneven bars. While she is doing this activity, another girl right in front of her on another bar breaks her arm. Thankfully, Kaleigh didn't see it. OUCH!!!

Finally, the last clip for this entry. The first thing Kaleigh does for every practice is to climb the dreaded rope. She is so close to getting to the top but it is a mental thing for her because it is so high. She can do it but overcoming the fear of how high the rope is, is what is preventing her from touching the top. Although each practice gets a little bit better. I also, had to show you the poor girl who broke her arm. My whole body ached when I saw her arm.

This Morning in China

This morning in China a mother cries
She'll never forget her daughter's eyes
Her heart is broken and filled with pain
The tears run down like the falling rain
She has no choice but to leave her there
The cost of keeping her daughter is too much to bear
She hopes her daughter will one day know
True love can be found in letting her go.

This morning in China a baby cries
Hungry and scared as tears fill her eyes
Her mother has left her in this public place
Another lost daughter of the Chinese race
Someone passing by has heard her soft moan
She's soon quickly taken to a foster home
It's here she'll reside in the care of another
Until she's adopted by a brand new mother.

That very moment, in the U.S.A.
A woman cries as she starts to pray
Her heart is heavy but filled with much love
She prays for a daughter she thinks the world of
"Dear Jesus I ask that your arms would be
wrapped tightly around the one picked for me
Guard her in China 'till I make my way
And then in my arms forever she'll stay.

-Author Unknown


John 14:18
"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."


Isaiah 43:5
"Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west."

Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

Lazy Days of Summer

I apologize for taking so long to update the website. Drew just started back to work from summer break, this last week. I have 10 days left before my new school year starts up. This summer has been such a nice break with the girls. They are growing up so fast. It is hard to believe that this new school year will be Kaleigh's last one without being a "true student". She will start kindergarten next Aug. I think she is ready for school now and can't wait to go back to "her school" to see all of her friends. I am so proud of Kaleigh! She is such a great big sister and is so proud of Kenzie. Kaleigh loves to hold Kenzie's hand and walk with her. Kenzie sometimes wants to be a big girl and walk on her own and Kaleigh just doesn't understand why. Kaleigh loves to play "house" with Kenzie and tells everyone that Kenzie is her baby. I will cherish these memories because I know it won't be long until they get older and under each others nerves. They truely love each other now and can't go anywhere without the other.

Kenzie is running everywhere she goes. She is always in a hurry and loves life. She is such a happy little lady. She loves our dogs and thinks all dogs are named Decker, even Sidney. Every morning, the first thing she does is to go into Kaleigh's room and play with Kaleigh and all of her toys.

Kenzie has had a hard time with cutting her teeth. Somedays are better than others. This poor little girl has been cutting teeth since we got her the end of Feb. I will be so happy when these teeth are finally in.

I hope everyone is doing well. I will try real hard to not let that much time go by, before updating the webpage. Everyday I thank God for the wonderful blessings he has given me. Love, JILL

Home at last!!

First of all I would like to apologize for taking a while to post. I have been kind of busy. It has been two weeks and two days since we came home. I can not tell you how blessed we are. I will forever be thankful to China for the two most wonderful little girls. They are everything I have ever dreamed of and more. Kaleigh truly loves Kenzie and "mother hens" her like you could never imagine. She is so proud of her little sister. Kenzie is adjusting wonderfully and is getting really close to walking on her own. She will take off walking as long as she has at least one hand of mom, dad's, or Kaleigh's to hold on to. She actually called for me today when her dad was holding her. She said "momma, momma." Oh, that is the best sound you can ever hear. I am loving every minute of this and cherishing ever second knowing that they grow up so fast. Our two little dogs love Kenzie and Kenzie loves them. Kenzie has bonded to all of us and she fits in perfectly to our family. We are all doing well and are pretty much back on American time. Kaleigh was the hardest to get adjusted to American time, but is finally doing much better. It is so nice to be home!!! China is a wonderful place. The people are so hospitable. The topography and landscape is breathtaking. The history, sights and smells of China will never be taken for granted. I want my girls to be proud of where they are from and I will do my best to immerse them in as much culture, tradition and language as I possible can. I thank all of you for following our most wonderful life changing adventure. I thank you for the wonderful words of encouragement and support along the way. We will continue to post on the web page so that our family and friends can continue to follow the growth and development of our family. Love,JILL