An angel in sassy clothing...

She may look like an angel but she has the sassy mouth of a sailor in training.

"Hey Momma! Chocolate milk straight up!"

was one of the first things out of that mouth this morning!

How much can you cram into one month?

Christmas started the day after Thanksgiving for us

with our annual trip to the Christmas Tree Farm!

We ended up with a Black Hills Spruce and

it was GI-NORMOUS!

There may or may not have been much discussion over the first tree being too small and I may or may not have asked the tree farm helper boy to unbale another one that was larger.

In my defense I will say that it looked much SMALLER in the wide open field.

Running off energy!

Comparison - Tripp is 6'1".

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On Mary Austin's birthday we made gingerbread houses.

Now before you get all impressed, I will admit to buying the premade $10 Wilton kit from Walmart. I HIGHLY recommend it!

We had tons of fun with none of the bad words

coming from Mommy's mouth that would have if I had to assemble said house.

Jane was more about eating the decor than actually decorating!

Jane's finished house.
Note: She had the same gumdrop topiaries that Mae does but somehow
they have disappeared over time!

Mae's finished house with gumdrop topiaries intact!
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Jane Harris had a Christmas ballet party/recital.
It was low-key fun and we even got our first
Santa sighting!

I know this picture is awful but I LOVE the look on her face!

So I forgot the pink leotard!
At least she is in one!
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We also participated in the Posada at our church.
This is a Latin American tradition in which you "host" Mary and Joesph
for one night at your house.
Mary Austin kept asking where baby Jesus was.

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We attended the children's service on Christmas Eve.
Both girls sang and it was very sweet.
I forgot my camera but
much to my delight on Christmas morning we discovered this
on the front page of our newspaper!

Mary Austin is in the top right corner and
Jane is on the same side just behind the little girl who is front and center!

We also had Mary Austin's birthday party and the school pagaent along with all the Christmas festivities! It is no wonder that I feel like I have been run over by a truck!

All through the house....

..not a creature was stirring

except for one very sneaky and creative mouse!

All I can say is that the girl LOVES her chocolate and

I made the mistake of leaving a Lindt chocolate bar out on the kitchen counter!

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas!

From our house to yours..

Merry Christmas!

Santa Claus did not disappoint. Well, except for the Barbie Jeep that was conjured up about 2 weeks prior to Christmas. However, once we explained that it was too big for Santa's sleigh and a fire hazard Mary Austin decided that she really wanted a bike. YIKES! Again we explained that Santa knew that we were going to get her a new bike this spring and get hers fixed for Jane Harris and once again all was well. The plasma cars certainly helped as well.

The doll house is now a HUGE hit with both girls as well as the baby doll care center. The strollers have been around the neighborhood twice. One of the biggest hits was a chair-go-round that Tripp's parents gave Jane Harris. Pictures to follow - it has been rainy here!

The Big Man has arrived!

Merry Christmas Eve!

Santa Claus has arrived

and

visions of sugarplums are dancing in princess' heads!

We interupt Christmas postings...

...to bring you Mary Austin's 5th birthday party.

She wanted a gymnastics/USA/Olympics party and that was music to my ears since I would not have to host a party at the house in the middle of decorating for Christmas!

Her invites were gold medals and we had the party where she takes gymnastics.

Keeping with the theme she wore her red "lee-go-tard" and I found a really cute royal blue bow with white polka dots and "Celebrate" monogrammed in red.

(I think it was a leftover from the 4th of July!)

Everyone had a blast!

Merry Christmas from Dixie - Still Photos

Still Photos from the girls Holiday Pageant.

Note the "prom photo" in the bottom left corner.

All they needed was a corsage, some tinsel and balloons!

Also note the John Deer tractor. The teachers are so creative and found great ways to allow all the children no matter their ability to participate! The carriage that Mae and Hayden are in front of is really a prop for Christians wheelchair!

"Santa!!! I know him!!!"

Christmas 2008

To all our blog world friends...

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!!

We would love to send you a Christmas card.

Please email me at

julestripp@yahoo.com

Merry Christmas from Dixie! Video Post

The princesses had their school holiday pageant, A Down Home Holiday, last Friday.

This will be Mary Austin's last pageant. We knew she was singing Christmas in Dixie by Alabama but had no idea of the costumes and theme. She was the cutest Asian Belle I have ever seen! It made her KA daddy and Phi Mu mommy so very proud! I quit filming so I could snap still shots so I missed the twirl she produced at the end!

Jane was the cutest red-headed cowgirl around. Her class sang Santa Claus is Coming to Town - Dolly Parton version. Now, I love me some Dolly. In fact, I have never seen her in concert and I really do not like big concerts but I would make an exception for Dolly. I still cannot listen to "Me and Little Andy" without sobbing. We were not sure that Jane Harris would go on stage. Unlike Mae, she is not one to be the center of attention. She did go on stage and even sang in between picking her nose and "sweeping her hair" away from her eyes! (We have since gotten a haircut.)

Wordless Wednesday - Sara has Mya!

Happy Birthday Mary Austin

I didn't give you the gift of life,

But in my heart I know.

The love I feel is deep and real,

As if it had been so.

For us to have each other

Is like a dream come true!

No, I didn't give you

The gift of life,

Life gave me the gift of you.

--- Unknown

my dearest Mae,

Today you turn 5. It seems like yesterday I was in the offices of Villa Hope seeing your sweet face for the very first time. I knew you before I even saw your face. I knew you would be young and whenever someone would say "don't get your hopes up" I would just smile and think "they don't know but I do". I remember the night I knew you had been born. Daddy and I went to a Christmas party at the Governor's Mansion. We had fun with Daddy Bob, Miss Patsy, Minda and Bobby (who was just a tiny baby). The night was clear and the stars were so bright. It was a magical night and I knew then that you had arrived. You were 5 days old by that night.

For the past 4 and a half years I have watched you go from my impish baby to a big girl. You are sweet, caring and thoughtful; quick to hug and kiss me "like we were in France" (cheek, cheek and then lips). You are headstrong and have definite opinions especially about your clothes! You have no fear and love doing gymnastics, drawing, and being with the "big girls" that I teach. You love to play with your figures and dolls and will play for hours with your over sized imagination. You are a wonderful "tita" to Jane Harris always including her in your adventures.

I wish for your birth mother to know all these things about you.

I know that somewhere she is grieving and wondering what happened to the tiny baby she had to leave that day in December. I hope and pray that she does know and that she has comfort and peace that you are loved, safe, happy, healthy, vivacious and thriving.

"Not flesh of my flesh, Nor bone of my bone, But still miraculously my own.

Never forget for a single minute, You didn't grow under my heart - but in it"
-- Fleur Conkling Heylinger

For Sara

Sara,

You are about to embark on an amazing journey!

We cannot wait to follow you!

Know that we will continue to pray for your family,

Mya and her transition, and safe travels.

Savor the moments; they are sweet and seem to change in the blink of an eye. Hold them close to your heart and memory. Wonder in the mundane and ordinary and be amazed at God's grace. How He made this perfect match for your family is only described as a miracle.

Bobby Brown - Part Deux

Future make-up fashionistas!

Thanksgiving Late!

Somehow, I did not get any pictures on Thanksgiving but I did at the school lunch!

Mae says she is thankful for "my fam-blee, my sleepy toy (a stuffed rabbit) and Santa Claus".

Jane says she is thankful for "my fam-blee and chocolate candy (of course!)".

Yummy turkeys!
The 3 amigos!
Mae and friends!

Jane eats lunch and is most likely thinking about desert
and those turkey cupcakes!

Jane and friends!

Grocery Store Fun

Last week we were at the grocery store and quite a spectacle. Now there is nothing unusual about us being a spectacle with the HUGE, non-steerable green race car buggy and one terrible mommy driver add in 2 princesses who usually sing loudly and well you have a spectacle.

This day we were a spectacle due to princess commentary that went something like this...

Standing in the hot dog/sausage area looking at the sausage choices to make red beans and rice. Precious 20-something guy standing next to us.

Mae yells out "Mommy, I need to hold one of those big weenies."

This prompts Jane to say "Me too, I love big weenies"

Guy chuckles and I turn to him and say "Hmm.. that is really not something you want to hear your 5 and 3 year old say/"

Standing in the dairy aisle getting Kraft American Cheese Slices.

Mae says "Look Mommy that lady has on a shirt that has a picture of the man you did not vote for on it. That man is going to take all my Halloween candy and give it to the lazy girl."

Nice. Mae wanted to know why we did not vote for a certain candidate. I explained it to her by using her Halloween candy as an example of how we were going to be taxed more.

Waiting in line to check out a lady pulls up next to us in the line over a buggy that is nearly spilling into the floor. Jane Harris "Look Mommy her buggy is really full" and then to the lady "hey, if you eat all that food in that buggy your belly will get really big" with her arms stretched out wide for emphasis. Nice lady smiles and says "Oh this is not all for me. I am cooking for Thanksgiving like your Mommy will." Jane without missing a beat says "Oh, my mommy does not cook we are going to Mimi's house."

I could not make this up!

We have now had talks about not discussing certain subjects in public.

Please no political comments.

Preppy Princess Clothes...

are now on sale HERE!!!

I have been working hard to get this up and running!

A way to fuel my addiction to little girl clothing!

Bear with me as I work out the kinks.

I have about 6 more posts to do - ALL CHRISTMAS outfits!

They will be up by tomorrow night!

Don't be jealous...

..that I got to meet Preppy Paper Girl!

If you have not taken a look-see at her things, YOU SHOULD!!

I went to a friend's Christmas open house and lo and behold she was showing me all this cute stationary that looked so familiar. I asked "Is she from here" and the response was "no she is in Georgia". Instantly I knew she was Preppy Paper Girl. Now, this may mean that I spend waaaay too much time reading blogs but I have decided that it just means she has some cutie patooty stuff that I have been eyeing for some time now. It was fate! I got the precious owl calling stickers as shown above for the princesses' stockings and some other fun things from her.

The pictures so do not do her things justice. They are really really cute.

I think I have a girl crush on all her creativity and craftiness.

I can only dream to have such talents.

National Adoption Month

Mary Austin Zuhong H

Born December 8, 2003

Quingyuan, Guangdong

Adopted July 12, 2004

Guangzhou, Guangdong

People's Republic of China

And re-adopted November 12th, 2008

Alabama

Now when you are 16 you can get your drivers license with an English birth certificate and know that while it may have taken your slacker parents 4.5 years to "domesticate" your adoption, we love you more than life!

Yes, we finally got around to that last step. Some states require you to do this in a timely manner but not Alabama as long as both parents were present during the adoption in China.

The above picture was Mae's announcement photo. I tried to scan the announcement but I could not figure out how to fuzz out our last name!

The court date was just a formality. Of course Mae was all dressed up in her Easter dress and the jewelry I let her wear on "special occasions". She sat quietly while the judge made her statements for the record. Tripp was our attorney and I tried not to cry.

Then the judge asked Mae where she was going to school next year and she sweetly looked up and said

"Where my momma votes."

And she was correct; I vote at the elementary school she will attend next fall.

Where has the time gone?

City mice, Country mice

Last weekend we had "Big Country Weekend" with some of my besties and their families.

We had such a great time in the country! We kept telling the girls that we were going to the "country" but my "city mice" could not understand so then we kept saying "the farm".

Imagine their surprise when there was no big red barn or chickens.

They did get to pet cows and feed horses, roast marshmallows, play outside to their hearts content and lots of other fun things!

I am blessed to have such great friends and grateful that all the men get along too!

Thanks MRC for hosting "big country weekend".

Pinky swear that all the "Brittney momma" secrets stay with us!

Ballet, tap & headaches...Oh My!

Jane Harris is now in ballet/tap combo. Sister still may need to find a new sport but she sure does love those tap shoes and I will just keep popping the Advil for now!

Happy Halloween Video

Mimi got the girls these fun Halloween masks!

Ever the drama queen, Mae wanted to be front and center at all times!

I got some snaps!

Pink, Green and Southern gave me this award!

I love it and am honored 'cuz the girl has some great taste!

Plus, she is keeping it real and Southern while up North!

I mean, she has a picture of Scarlet as her little bloggy id picture.

So I have to list 6 things that make me happy.

Just 6? I may break the rules a little bit!
1. My family

2. Home clothing shows like Hannah Kate, Just Ducky and Hollywood Baby

3. Teaching Sunday school

4. Watching no-brainer TV shows like Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader - Making the Team, My Big Fat Redneck Wedding and Ace of Cakes. (Don't be judgin')

5. Traveling - my most favorite places are The Grand in Fairhope, AL, Highlands, NC and surrounding areas, Roatan, and Disney World.

6. Summer VA-CAY!! And Christmas Break, Jan term (cuz' I don't teach then), & Spring Break

7. Easy recipes or even better when Tripp cooks.

8. Girls Night Out with my besties!

9. Catching up with old friends on Facebook. It's kind of addicting.

10. Decorating for holidays!

PS - Those are in no particular order. Obviously church comes before clothing shows!

I have to tag 6 people but I need to do some research and find Mae's lee-go-tard for gymnastics (the child is now in class with 7 year olds!).

We hated to say good-bye..

to the Parkers!

We had so much fun trick or treating with them and playing the next day!

Could there be a prettier set of cousins?

The only one missing is my niece Liz.

It was like a paparazzi picture fest!

Playing school with Lily and Megan

Practicing our letters.

Finally, we stayed at The Grand in Fairhope.

It is a lovely resort and I think I would rather stay here or maybe The Grove Park Inn any day.

They had some great pumpkin decorations.

Mae was fascinated with the Miss Piggy Pumpkin!

Trick or Treating with the Parker Princesses

Hmm..we'll take a picture with the 2 funny ladies

because they dumped an entire bowl of loot into our bags!

Just take one.

Note the long and "sparkly" hair.

Who me? Love candy?
NOOOOO.....

Trick or Treat!

Halloween in Fairhope

Princess Ting Ting and the Sweet Witchy Poo
Witchy poo Jane Harris enjoying the sunset!

Mae was in LOVE with this hair piece from Sally's Beauty.

She asked to wear it every day and was quite (read temper tantrum) disappointed when I told her that this was not an option!

Halloween 2008 - 4 years old

Halloween 2008 - 3 years old