It's over.

Halloween that is.

oh so frightful, (and delightful!!!)

Go look at this if you want a jump start for festive ideas this season. Their style is clean, beautiful, and always inspirational! There are lots of wonderful pictures of the HGTV special that is running all week...

I'm off for some spanish moss!!! :)

H1N1.. a personal perspective

Last week we were on vacation to Williamsburg Va. The morning after we arrived Elizabeth woke with a fever of approx. 102. She was acting fine, so we opted to 'wait and watch'. We did all the usual things like offer plenty of fluids, alternate tylenol and motrin, etc.. As the afternoon progressed, she fell asleep on my lap and when she woke she felt VERY hot. After taking her temp. again, we realized it had escalated to an alarming almost 105. We immediately took her to a walk in clinic and there they did the nose swab test and it came back positive for the flu.

Tamiflu was given and by the next morning her fever was normal and you would have never known she had been ill. She continued on a 5 day course of Tamiflu but her actual symptoms only lasted about 24 to 36 hours. Perhaps the quick recovery was in part due to the anti viral drug being given so soon after the onset of symptoms, I don't know, but the severity (or I should say lack there of thankfully!!) of our bout was nothing like I would have expected based on all the media reports we have been hearing.

We opted not to vaccinate our children for the Swine Flu out of concerns for the vaccine safety and I was especially concerned when we first got the results last week - but no one else came down with it, and Elizabeth made a complete recovery within a very few days.

Just thought I would pass on our experience so all you Mom's out there won't freak when your children aren't as diligent about washing their hands as you might like for them to be during this "germ" season! I'm resting a bit easier now!! (Still diligent about the germs and washing hands but at least not *quite* as obsessed :)

I didn't agree with you on everything, but yep GW, I miss ya.
xoxo

Stolen babies

"I would never support the baby trafficking and China's greed when it comes to selling their unwanted baby girls".. was the comment we received from a long time "friend" when we announced our plans to adopt. The comment could have turned our decision around but by the grace of God we chose to ignore it. The comment may have been accurate to a degree but we also decided to consider the source as this person was looking for any excuses not to bring a child into their family.

It's been some time ago since we received the "sentiment" about our adoption decision, thus the exact wording may be off a bit- but you get the idea.

So, can we say that here in America we are totally free from crimes involving babies, adoption, and so on? Perhaps there was (and is) a problem with some children placed into any international adoption program but I have to say that most of the dollars spent on our adoption went to U.S. sources and agencies - not China. Our total Chinese Orphanage fee was only $4,000. Four Thousand dollars to feed, care for, clothe, immunize, house, etc.. 24/7 for our child - for almost a year. Our daughter was meticulously cared for during those 11 months living with a foster family under the supervision of the Chinese Adoption Affairs.

Indeed the situation in many foreign countries involving children that are placed for adoption is tragic. I've often thought about that "friend's" comment and played many "what if" games.. It boils down to this - God knows the end from the beginning and whatever happened and the circumstances surrounding her birth and 'finding' .. HE allowed it to occur. The winding path and entrusting from our Almighty Heavenly Father to be her parents happened. Following what we believe was God's direction in our decision to adopt our motives and hearts were pure. Even in the worse case situation, we are comforted in that God has placed our daughter exactly where His plan for Han Li Rong was and we are eternally grateful.

It's Fall Y'all..

and I'm posting my all time fav. ginger cookie recipe. These aren't your average run-of-the-mill ginger cookies, these are the BEST ginger cookies you will ever eat! Don't overbake. They are soft, chewy and perfect for those chilly autumn afternoons. I haven't made these since last fall and there is a reason... We eat them up as quickly as they are made! So without further ado...

Ginger Cookies
Cream:
3/4 cup oil (or shortening - I used oil)
1 c. brown sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg

Sift together
2 1/2 c flour
2 t. b.soda
1/2 t. salt
1 - 1.5 teaspoons ginger
2 teaspoons (or more) cinnamon
1/2 t. cloves
2 - 3 Tablespoons vinegar (yep, vinegar)

Combine and mix all of the above.

Refrigerate dough until chilled then roll into small
balls and roll in sugar.

Place on ungreased pan 2" apart

Bake @ 350 for 8-10 mins. (I did 8 mins)
ENJOY
I usually double this and keep the unbaked dough in the frig
or freezer (airtight) and use as needed.