Great Wall FL Celebrates Chinese New Year! (Sunday, January 18th)

Here it is. The whole reason we went up to Orlando. The Great Wall China Adoption FL Families celebration of Chinese New Year! And boy did we all welcome in the Year of the Ox!!

Susan works very hard to put together a great party for everyone. Of course, I'll admit it, she gets people to work with her, & they all work hard. In the end though, everyone always has a blast.

Erin is ready to party!

Jolene put bows into Erin's hair & she kept them in!

Erin & Uncle Art (our annual pic of these 2)

Erin with Ethan & Katie Starr (a/k/a The Dynamic Duo) & their amazing mom Lori

The virtual tripliets - Erin with Julianna & Isabella

Candy, Rachel & David

Hannah, Olivia, Erin, Julianna & Isabella (another annual pic)

Jolene selling her fabulous clothing & bows

Marc - hard at work entertaining everyone

This man knows how to party!

Erin modeling her Fu outfit - one of Jolene's creations

Sea World Saturday & Dinner with Susan & Her Crew

This was Erin's first time going to Sea World. She hasn't been interested in anything that might have a character, but David & I finally convinced her that it would be a great place to go. For weeks before our trip, Erin was asking "When are we going to Sea World?"

I reminded Erin of some basic rules before we entered the park. We took Erin's stroller in just in case she got tired (never mind the fact that I needed it for balance with my wobbly hip). Jolene & I were talking while Erin watched everything in fascination. Then the screams began. While we were trying to decide which direction to take, Erin literally flew out of her stroller into Jolene's arms. Shamu had walked out of the employee area & was going to the photo spot. Poor Jolene! She didn't realize that when I said Erin is TERRIFIED of characters, I meant it. We got Erin calmed down & promised there were no more characters walking around (all the while I was praying I wasn't fibbing to her.) Off we went to discover what Sea World was all about.

Erin really enjoyed seeing the dolphins, the penguins & puffins & the stingrays. She had a great time choosing an oyster to get her very own pearl. She even enjoyed shopping & spending her Chanukah money on a stuffed Shamu. But the part she like the best & was totally enchanted with was the Blue Horizons show. She couldn't see so she sat on Jolene's lap & barely breathed the entire time.

When we got back to the hotel, we sat down for a while to rest & then got the call. Susan & Art & their girls were finally there. And their room still wasn't ready! We had them come up to visit with us until they could go to their room. Jolene hadn't met Susan yet even though she was selling her gorgeous stuff at our party so this was perfect.

After they got settled in their own room, we all went out to dinner. Jolene tried to weasel her way out saying that she didn't want to intrude on our visit. Ha! Susan told her she expected Jolene to join us. Jolene tried to back out again, but I explained that when Susan talks, we all jump! We went over to Chevy's for some wonderful Mexican food. I've never been there before & was amazed by how yummy it all was. Everyone had a great time eating & chatting the night away.

When we got back to the hotel, I zonked right out. It was a great day!

Driving With Miss Jolene (January 16, 2009)

Have I ever mentioned that I have some wonderful friends?

Anyone who knows me, knows that I hate to drive on a good day. Night driving? I hate it. Well, Lori read my blog & knew how nervous I was about driving to Orlando. She was chatting with our friend Jolene who was also going up there as a vendor. I can't see 2 inches in front of my face so the night driving was scary to me. Jolene doesn't mind the drive but didn't want to do it alone. These 2 ladies conspired to help me out. Lori had me call Jolene to see if we could work something out that would be to both our benefit. Thanks gals!

It was perfect. Jolene would do the driving & have the company. I wouldn't have to drive & panic. Since Jolene hadn't made hotel arrangements yet, I assured her she could stay in the suite that I had reserved. A true girls' weekend!

Friday afternoon, David packed up my car, & off I went into the unknown with Erin. Being the lunatic I am, I called Jolene for very specific directions to her house. Mapquest & Google weren't enough for me. I had to have verbal confirmation that the directions were right. Jolene stayed on the phone with me for most of my drive so I wouldn't get lost. I owe her hubby Freeman a huge hug for letting me take up her last hour before leaving for the weekend!

Erin & I got to Jolene's house & everything was transferred from my car to Jolene's car. Erin was under the threat of pain of death to avoid discussing the trip with Jolene's girls. Apparently Jade & Emma LOVE Sea World & would have been very upset to find out that mom was going there without them.

For about 3 hours, Erin sat in the back watching a DVD that Jolene brought along. And Jolene & I spent the entire time gabbing about anything & everything. We've been friendly for a few years, but this was a nice way to get really get to know each other on a whole different level.

The directions to the hotel were a hoot. Half of the directions were perfect. The other half? Well, we traveled for an extra half hour. Chit chatting away the whole time.

When we finally did make it to our hotel, we were exhausted & hungry. And as hungry as we all were, there was only one thing that mattered to us. Wherever we ordered from had to sell Coca Cola since the hotel is a Pepsi place. (Can you say "Ugh!" to the max?) The food was good. The soda was better.

And the weekend began.

Vacation Fun

Every year Erin & I go to visit with our friends Art & Susan & their children.

Susan & I met online when our families become DTC (Dossier to China) which is now known as LID (Log In Date). As part of the February Waiting Hearts & the GW DTC groups, we spent a long time chatting online & eventually got to meet in person Christmas of 2002. David & I went to breakfast to meet total strangers who offered to sit with us & answer whatever questions we might have. We to meet the incomparable Hannah & the beautiful Olivia their first 2 daughters. David was won over immediately by their girls, & the rest is history.

We've been home 4.5 years now & have visits every few months between our families. Since then, Susan & Art have completed their family with Erin's orphanage sister Julianna & the sweet Isabella. And of course our family is complete with our beautiful Erin.

Chinese New Year is the one time of year that Erin & I go to visit them. We go up the day before our agency CNY celebration so the I can help Susan with the preparations & also remind her to relax a bit herself. We invade their lovely home, relax, play & have fun. Susan & I hunt down all the Starbucks so we can sip our beverage of choice & just generally enjoy doing nothing much.

Chinese New Year Pics

Erin loved getting dressed up to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Oh! What's in the goody bag!?



S Florida's incomparable Marc & Lori.

Erin & her mama.

(Thanks for snapping this Shannon.)

Erin was hiding under a table outside during the Lion Dance.

It kills me that at times like this, Erin doesn't know in her heart & soul that I'll always do my best to protect her.

Erin & her buddy Ethan.

He's her standard for a brother.

Erin really enjoyed herself at CNY 2008.

Here they are. A few of the gazillion pics I took at the CNY 2008 party. Everyone had a total blast!

Chinese New Year 2008 Party

Wow! What a fabulous day!

My friend Susan busts her buns over this party each year.  And each year she worries about how it will go.  Will everyone have a good time?  How will we raise enough money to send back to China for all the Waiting Children?  Should she sit down & eat or should she socialize.  I'm glad to say that this year Susan sat down & ate.  Yes.  She still worried about everything, but at least she wasn't passing out from hunger by the time we got home last night.  All the girls were exhausted but fighting sleep.  Somehow we managed to stay up & watch Perry Mason.  Man! That movie was old!

My friends from S FL were at the party too.  All of the children had fun running around, screaming & playing.  They looked great in their Chinese finery.  There was an arts & crafts table where the children got to make Chinese lanterns.  There were vendors selling their wares.  And, yes, I purchased.  Oh boy did I spend money!  I can't wait to show everything to David.  You know that he's going to look at me like I'm nuts.  But the money all goes to a good cause.

Since I'm away on vacation right now, I can't upload pics but I promise to upload some soon.

Yay! Vacation Here we are!

We're here! We're here! Yes.  Our trip to Spring Hill has finally happened.  Erin & I finally got on the plane this morning.  No sooner than we buckled up, than Erin asked me where Uncle Art & Aunt Susan were.  She d h to know why they weren't waiting for her on the plane.  I could have died laughing!

At the Tampa airport there is a shuttle that takes you from where the plane lands to the actual baggage claim area.  Again Erin wanted to know where Aunt Susan was.  Before I could answero her, Isabella came running up to us with the other girls following behind.  As soon as we said our hellos, Susan & I headed over to Starbucks.  Yummy!!

The rest of the day has been spent getting ready for the Chinese New Year luncheon.  Shopping for material so we could have red couch photos.  Making name tags for everyone attending.  Seating arrangements.  And so much more.

It's been a great day this first day of my vacation!

Gong Xi Fa Cai

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

The other day at work I had some clients come in to my office. Many times people will stare at Erin's photo, look at me, look at her photo again, & then say nothing. This couple is Chinese & felt comfortable enough to mention that Erin looked Chinese. Of course I got into a total discussion with them about how yes Erin is Chinese & we were lucky enough to adopt her at 10 months in China. They were very excited to hear that there are local groups who try to keep the Chinese culture alive for these children.

Anyway, they came back in yesterday for an appointment with one of my partners. I popped in & wished them a Happy New Year & offered the hope for healthy, happy & prosperous Year of the Rat. When they finished their appointment, they waited for me. These sweet people came to offer a lucky money envelope for Erin. I thanked them for their thoughtfulness & generosity & again wished them a Happy New Year.

And when they left, what do you think I did? Yes. You've got it right. I cried.

Chinese New Year Celebration!

Erin & I went to Spring Hill the weekend of Feb 11th to celebrate Chinese New Year with our friends the Fremers & the rest of the FL Great Wall families. Wow! What a wonderful weekend we had.

Saturday we met Snow Wu (the president) & LeighAnne Baseflug of Great Wall China Adoption at the airport. Their plane came in right after ours. It was a pleasure to meet these very special ladies. They came in for the FL CNY celebration & were quite surprised by how large a gathering we had. LeighAnne read a book to the children during our party, & Snow took pictures with a number of the families.

This CNY party is an annual event & put together by Susan with help from many other people. In fact, some of my friends from S FL also came up for the party. Marc Weinstock was an AMAZING emcee! I'm not allowed to show the video of Susan doing the chicken dance. Snow mentioned that she had never seen the chicken dance or heard "YMCA" at a CNY celebration! The families all had a wonderful time, & best of all, we raised a substantial amount of money to be donated to Love Without Boundaries.