So, It's the end January...

...How's that New Years' Resolution coming?

Does yours include : "Eat more Ice Cream?"...As I was reading the updates on the progress of our Adoption in China (we are now only 5 LI Days away!!!), I couldn't help but gasp when I read the words from Mary Beth Chapman's blogsite. What she says in her Christmas letter, is a gentle reminder...or maybe like the rug being yanked out from under your feet, depending...on the things we should not take for granted. If you are one to make New Years' Resolutions, here's a reminder not to give up...perhaps there's a reason you felt passionate enough to make them not quite a month ago.

Here is an excerpt from Mary Beth Chapman's letter, that I completely copied without permission, but one that I don't think she would mind that I share at all with you:

"As I anticipate Christmas 2008, I have many thoughts flying through my heart and head. The last several days, my mind has not been able to stop thinking about Mary, the mother of Jesus. Pregnant and scared, knowing that the baby she was carrying eventually would pay the ultimate price of His life. How would I have lived differently if I knew that my time with Maria was going to be this short? Regretfully, I would have lived much differently. I would have purposely hugged and kissed more. I would have tried to memorize and lock away in my heart certain smells and smiles. I would have colored more and worked less. I would have laughed more and fussed less. Bedtime wouldn’t have become a chore to check off the list of things to get done. Instead it would have been more of an opportunity to listen about the day and offer whatever words were needed. The swimming pool wouldn’t have been too cold to swim in. The flowers in the garden would have all been picked, and definitely more ice cream would have been consumed!"

Chinese New Year

January 26, 2009 is this year's date for Chinese Lunar New Year, where basically the whole country of China shuts down for 2 weeks to celebrate with festivals, parades, and many other symbolic traditions. China will be celebrating 2009 as the Year of the Ox.

Fun China Facts:

1. The Color RED: Red means "Good Luck". Lot's of things in China are Red. Traditionally, brides wear Red on their wedding day. On Chinese New Year, gifts of money will be given in Red envelopes to bring wealth and luck...tomorrow, the whole country will be drenched in RED.

2. China is the homeland of TEA, dating back over 2,000 years. (Do you think that Southern China adds sugar to their tea?)

3. The Great Wall is approximately 4,000 miles long. (We will only walk a portion when we visit Beijing. A very, very , very, very small portion...)

4. Shoes worn without socks are frowned upon, also unsocked feet get dirty much faster and therefore should not come in contact with anything else. (will they still be offended if they know I'm from Tennessee???)

5. Chinese do not like to be touched, particularly by strangers; don't hug, backslap, or put an arm around someone's shoulder (this southern girl's gonna need a strait-jacket...)

6. Pointing with an index finger...use an open hand, whistling, or finger-snapping are considered rude (in the Johnson house...it is considered rude to "point" with your middle finger)

7. Chinese customs that Alec will LOVE: spitting in the street, slurping food, talking while eating

8. Chopsticks placed in rice standing UP symbolize death. (ummmm fork please.)

9. I was born in The Year of the OX, Ken was born in the Year of the Monkey, Alec was born the Year of The Rooster, and Addie was born (maybe) in The Year of The Rat!!!

more facts to come as we get closer....

I will post info. soon on when we may get a referral (hint: it wasn't this month...)

~1st photo courtesy of jenniferphoon - "Glowing Lanterns at Theon Hou Temple"
~2nd Photo Courtesy of China Pictures.org

Waiting to Become Real

Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you.
When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."
"Does it hurt?" asked the rabbit. "Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt." "Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"
"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse.
"You become.
It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in your joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all..."
-by Margery Williams from The Velveteen Rabbit

Our Christmas Project!

For Christmas, instead of exchanging gifts, Ken and I decided to build out Addie Grace's Closet! Along with generous gifts from Mom & Jeff, Shawn (my brother) and Ken's parents, we purchased all the materials, and completed the closet this week! We have the best Family!!!
We decided to go with the "Rubbermaid" System, because it is completely adjustable, and can grow with her. I didn't like the wire shelves until we installed them!

Here is Ken looking for a stud...I Found One!

Ken hanging the first part of her closet

The Completed Project!!!

"I Spy" Fun things you will find in Addie's Closet:

1. Our good friends, Peter and Nicki let us buy a lot of their daughter's clothes (up to 24 months), and I have put them in labeled plastic bins on the top! We also have a high chair, Pack n Play and Bouncy Seat from them as well.

2. The bright Pink Dress that is hung in the center is called a Qipao (chee-pow). This is a beautiful traditional Chinese brocade and linen dress that was given to Addie Grace from the Wang Family, who live in Singapore. Their 2 Children are miracles, and their daughter Annagrace is one of the reasons why we are adopting from China. I will treasure this gift, as I treasure this precious gem of a family.

3. A Pair of my Point-Shoes from the days when I could...

4. A sweet red onesie from Ken's Aunt Nancy, A Sweet Pink Ladybug Dress from Addie's Aunt Shannon, Cute Socks from Mimi & Papa, A Green Bay Packer Bib from Wendy & Mike Jones, Several soft "lovies" from Grandma Johnson, RRR Bible Study Class, and me, Ladybug trinket box from her daddy, and her first dress...bought by her Uncle Kevin!!!

5. A Pink and Brown MaClaren Stroller purchased 1/2 price 2 years ago!

I seriously can't believe she is almost here! Seeing her closet full of little things makes it seem more real!!!

I am attempting to draw a bird mural on Addie's Dresser..we'll see what happens!!!