Giveaway

This giveaway is really neat!! The gal made a list of 100 things she liked, then on the computer put it in different fonts etc!! I love the way they turn out!! :) Anyway, head over and check it out!! Hope this finds you all doing well!!

International Adoption

I know I have done posts about adoption before. Adoption  and Chances at Life, but in English class, we are presenting persuasion speeches about a topic that we know first hand knowledge about. I chose international adoption. I know people adopt from many different countries, but the one in particular is China. There are many friends that I know who have adopted from China, but there are 4 stories in particular that I am focusing on, because of permissions to use them. There are 3 girls' stories, a 7 year old, a 2 year old, and myself. Then one little boy who is 6. I have known the 7 year old for a while now, I met her and her family, and of course fell in love with her :) She is just too adorable!! The other little girl, I know her parents, but have never met her. Hopefully someday I will meet her! Then there is the little boy. Hopefully I will meet him in December, I can't wait til or if that happens. So I'm pretty excited about that. And of course, my story. Which I have met myself and know who I am, or do I? That will be a post of its own. Okay, back to adoption. Maybe you've seen this picture before. I don't know exactly how to include that, but I'm thinking something along the lines of "you don't know what's going to happen to your life, but somethings are just meant to be". What do you think? Oh and please feel free to comment and express your opinions, I highly encourage you to, so I will be able to say I have talked to others about this. Then there is the fact, that I have heard and studies show that there is a lesser chance of fetal alcohol syndrome etc if you adopt internationally. Money and costs will be my next point, and finally I will share the stories of 4 lives who have gotten a chance to live. This all has to be under 3 minutes, so hopefully I can talk fast and be brief. Any comments on how to improve this? Please, share your thoughts. Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving!! :)

Lesson Learned

Hello, hello!! No school today, our football team is headed to the semi-finals, and the pep bus leaves in a little over an hour! :) The musical went really well, lots of good comments of people who really liked it!! This past week has been interesting. I feel like sharing stories, so here it goes. I had just came from upstairs and saw a figure at our front door, trying to get in. I started screaming, and stood in the entryway jumping up and down not knowing where to run, so I ran to my mom in the office. She didn't know what was going on, then we both went back to the entry and heard "It's Dad", he had left his truck on the side street for meeting the next morning, and walked home and was going to quietly see if the door was locked!! Anyway, the next story isn't as funny, actually I learned a hard lesson. I take my wallet to school. (I know, you're probably thinking, "You stupid girl!!) Well, during PE on Friday, a girl came back after, and found her phone broke, as in someone took it and snapped it in half. My mom and I went to Hyvee after school, and I wanted to get something for my dad. Well I went to pay, and ALL $88 were GONE. Mom called the principal and asked what we could do, he said that they were going to call in the 3 people that were in the locker rooms, but the chance of me getting my money back, was very very slim. He also said that we could file a police report. I had won $50 for being the second top butterbraid seller, and then the rest was money I earned from doing different things etc. So my lesson is "Never assume your possessions are ok, because most likely, they aren't. I was depressed about it, because Sunday, we went shopping and I didn't have any money. Little sad if you ask me! Anyway. Hope you're all doing well! :)

Quick Post

This will be a quick post!! This weekend is the musical, lots of school activities/homework going on, so I've been keeping busy! This past weekend was the Stu-Co State Conference, it was a lot of fun, met lots of people, and little sleep! :) So I have to catch up on sleep, keep in good health, and make it through this week! :) Also, today is my nephew's 2nd birthday!! :) And tomorrow is my niece's 1st birthday!! :) Happy Birthday, Kiddos! :) :) Love ya! :) (Not that they read this! haha) Hope you're all doing well!

My Hero and Princess Avery! :)

Aren't they just adorable?!! :) This is my oldest brother's kids! Superman and the Princess! Superman is just too cute for words, and the Princess better watch out for the Prince's ;) Haha, or maybe the Prince's need to watch out for her aunt! :) Haha! Have a great weekend!! :)

Crazy Life!!

This week has been crazy!! Early outs and no school!! Sunday, the Student Council (some) are headed to the state conference, and will be gone Monday, so for me, it's kind of a 4 1/2 day weekend!! :) I don't know anything to be honest. Nothing exciting has happened to me!! The musical is coming along, tonight was one of our better rehearsals! Also, our performance is next Friday and Saturday nights! :) So much to do, so little of time! I had a great birthday, I made cupcakes and brought some to school. Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes!! :) I was asked if it felt any different to be 15, I told the person no, but to ask in a year when I can legally drive!! :) Haha, if you know me, I am a great driver!! (Don't ask my parents!) ;) Anyway! Hope you're all doing well!!

Chances at Life

15 years ago today, I was born. 14 years ago, I was given a chance to live life. I'm not saying that if I were still living in China that I wouldn't be able to live, but over here, I can succeed and be successful. Adoption is a great thing and I am thankful that I was lucky enough to be adopted. My birth parents could have easily aborted me, but they wanted what was best. Correct me if I'm wrong, but we only  have one chance to live our life. There are people that have had near death experiences and the doctors say that if they lived, they wouldn't function, but they are perfectly healthy. Those are rare cases. Adoption to me, is one of those cases. Do you agree? There are times when I wonder about what would happen if I wasn't adopted. What would my life be like, where would I be living. Or the times when I think, what if the family I live with now didn't adopt me? Who would the other people be? The Chinese told my parents that they adopted me on my birthday. My dad remembers them flying over, arriving on Friday, sightseeing on Saturday, meeting on Sunday, and getting me that night, October 24, 1997. I was one. There is a little girl who didn't realize I was Chinese and she has known me her whole life. She looked at me this summer and said, "You look Chinese!" and then a few weeks ago she said to me, "You still look Chinese!!" Well, last time I checked, I was, and always will be. But afterwhile people don't remember you were adopted, you're just "one of them!" Which maybe I'm more American, than Chinese!! Anyway, hope you're all doing well!

A Mother's Prayer

I pray you'll be my eyes
And watch her where she goes
And help her to be wise
Help me to let go

Every mother's prayer
Every child knows
Lead her to a place
Guide her with your grace
To a place where she'll be safe

I pray she finds your light
And holds it in her heart
As darkness falls each night
Remind her where you are

Every mother's prayer
Every child knows
Need to find a place
Guide her to a place
Give her faith so she'll be safe

Lead her to a place
Guide her with your grace
To a place where she'll be safe

A Mother's Prayer ~ Celine Dion

This song seems popular, we sang The Prayer for a vocal concert, then I heard this version. It's a neat song. Anyway. My mother is one of a kind. Which, all of us are. None of us are the same. We are snowflakes :) She wants what is in her childrens best interest, so she'll do whatever it takes to help them reach their goal or need.  There are the times when she will tell me to pick up my room, which that's a given, isn't it that "mother's handbook" that they pass out when you take your kid home? ;) I'm glad for the mom I have, and never want to take parents for granted, which I have been guilty of at times (shh, don't tell anyone!) :) Hope you're all doing well. Oh and the braces are off for good! :)

Daddy's Hands

I remember daddy's hands, folded silently in prayer. 
And reachin' out to hold me, when I had a nightmare. 
You could read quite a story in those callous' and lines. 
Years of work and worry, had left their mark behind. 
I remember daddy's hands, as they held my mama tight. 
And patted my back, for something done right.
There are things that I'd forgotten, that I'd loved about that man
But I'll always remember, the love in daddy's hands. 
Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin'. 
Daddy's hands were hard as steel when I'd done wrong.
Daddy's hands weren't always gentle, but I've come to understand. 
There was always love in daddy's hands. 


I remember daddy's hands workin' 'til they bled.
Sacrificed unselfishly just to keep us all fed.
If I could do things over, I'd live my life again.
And never take for granted the love in daddy's hands.
Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin'. 
Daddy's hands were hard as steel when I'd done wrong.
Daddy's hands weren't always gentle, but I've come to understand. 
There was always love in daddy's hands. 


Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin'. 
Daddy's hands were hard as steel when I'd done wrong.
Daddy's hands weren't always gentle, but I've come to understand. 
There was always love in daddy's hands. 

Daddy's Hands ~ Holly Dunn 1986

This is a song that I really like. Maybe you've heard it, and maybe you haven't. Which if you haven't, I advise you to go look it up!!
I could say this like a 5 year old, and write how my dad is my hero etc etc etc. But for me, the song says it all. There are times when I was disciplined and other times when he commended me. My dad is willing to climb mountains to help me out, or anyone for that matter. He is, for sure, a great guy all around! I am my daddy's little girl, and I always will be! Maybe this post doesn't express it all, but it's as close as it gets.
Hope you're doing well! :)

Different News (oh and my usual randomness!!)

This week and next are when we have to take the state tests to place us etc etc etc. Last week was homecoming, which we won our game, 63-0. So that made the Tigers 0-7. Crazy!! A week ago yesterday, my dad got stitches, yesterday he got them out. I went with and was watching, then the Dr. asked if I wanted to take the last few out. I said sure! :) It was quite fun!! There are a ton of tests this week, as the end of the quarter ends on Friday, which makes for no school Monday, which I'm not complaining about!! I don't think I have posted this, but I learned a few weeks ago that I am going to be an aunt again!! :) My brother and his wife are expecting around the April time frame!! Ryker, my nephew, called and said that they were going to have a little brother or sister, but they didn't know yet. It was quite adorable! I don't know much else, everything here is going "normal", or as "normal" as things can go. What is the definition of normal even? I started a really good book, finished it, and am going to start the next book in the series! When I say really good, I mean it!! Ok, well I shall stop boring your lives and let you get back to your fabulous lives! Hope you're all doing well, and if you aren't, keep your chin up and it will all turn out how it's supposed to be! :)