Monday, November 30, 2009

UGGGG...THE SICKIES...AND PLEASE PRAY

Our house has been struck with some sort of the sickies. It started off with Tony, Halainah and I thought we were in the clear. Halainah was struck with it on Saturday with a fever going almost as high as 103. And now I have it. Halainah seems to be getting better. She's snuggled up in front of her early Christmas present which is a portable DVD player watching Elmo. She has her favorite Bear, Elmo and Marty and is wrapped in her Tinkerbell blanket that her cousin Alyssa and Billy gave her. So cute! And I'm going back to bed. Every muscle in my body hurts and since I already have Asthma, any type of chest cold almost makes it unbearable to breathe. But as much as our household is battling the ugly sickies it is not us that needs your prayers.

Please keep my father in law in your prayers and thoughts. He has been battling Lymphoma for about 8 months or so. He has gone through 8 or 9 rounds of chemo and was put on a 3 month hiatus because he was doing so well. For the past week he has been extremely weak and almost reverting back to the way he was when this whole nightmare began. Last night he went to the emergency room and was admitted for Pneumonia. Pneumonia is dangerous enough as it is, and even more dangerous for someone in his heath crisis. So if you would pray for him that he will pull through this and regain his strength back. He needs all of his strength to battle the ugly Cancer beast.

And here's a little sneak peak of Halainah on her very first birthday party home with her forever family. I know I promised to blog about her party...but right now...I just don't have the strength.

Thanks so much from the bottom of our hearts for your pray
ers.


Thursday, November 26, 2009

HALAINAH'S FIRST THANKSGIVING

Our family would like to wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving.

We hope that you were surrounded by the love of your family and friends.


We are especially thankful this year for our miraculous daughter and our very first Thanksgiving with her.


God Bless!


Thank you so much Mom for joining us at the dinner table today. We felt your presence and knew for certain you were with us by the number 8. We miss you tremendously and would give anything to have you back.







Sunday, November 22, 2009

MATILDA JANE ONLINE TRUNK SHOW

Online Virtual

Trunk Show


Matilda Jane

Featuring the
Back to School, Gypsy Blue and
Sparkletown
Collections


From now until December 1st take a look and shop at

Click on "the goods" and let the shopping begin.

These are adorable, fantastic quality and extremely fun clothes for girls sizes 6 months all the way up to 12. Oh and there's an Adult line too!!

I'm working with a great Trunk Keeper and if you have any questions let me know and I will put you in touch with her. She has all of the samples and can answer any questions you may have about sizing, colors, details, what goes with what, etc.

I must receive all orders no later than 8:00 pm December 1st


I am so excited to be hosting my very first Matilda Jane online trunk show. Now you all know that I have fallen deeply in love with Matilda Jane since bringing our little girl home from China.

Matilda Jane Clothing is so unique, once you receive your very first order it will be love at first sight for you as well. You will lo
ve all of the compliments that your little girl will receive while out and about.

What a perfect time of the year to host a Matilda Jane Trunk show. Since Christmas is almost here, you may find a gift for your beautiful little angel or you may want to purchase a gift for someone else that they are guaranteed to love. Another great incentive is free shipping and your order is guaranteed to arrive in time for Christmas.


Click
here and browse through the Matilda Jane Clothing website. If you are new to the website, you will find all of the fabulous clothing under "goods". You can shop by her lines, Back to School, Gypsy Blue or the new holiday line, Sparkletown. Or you can shop by categories such as dresses, tops, bottoms/skirts and so on.

If you would like to place an order or have any questions, please e-mail me at: laineysmama@gmail.com.

After I receive your e-mail with your order I will contact you back for payment.


Please note that payment will be made directly to a Matilda Jane Trunk Keeper not to me.

I can guarantee that you will be head over heels with your purchase. Your princess will receive tons of compliments and everyone will want to know your secret.


But I am warning you that you may be
come a little obsessed like me. But hey, at least I can admit to it...LOL!

So go...check out the goods on the site. And don't blame me for your new found obsession!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

A word from Daddy....

I need only to look into my daughters eyes to know God exists.
I need only to look upon my daughters face to know angels exist.
I need only to feel her little arms wrapped around me to know God's Love.
I need only to feel her hand brush against mine to know an angels touch.

My sweet baby girl. Daddy loves you more than words can express. I will always be here for you.

Monday, November 16, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HALAINAH GRACE QINYANG

Happy Birthday our sweet angel sent from above. Today you turned 2 years old. And we celebrated your very first birthday together as a family. You have grown so much in the last 10 months since we were united forever as a family. You went from not being able to sit on your own to running faster than your little legs can carry you. You went from not being able to talk to us to talking all day long. You have gone from jumping into any one's arms including strangers to making sure that mommy and daddy are close by. You give the biggest hugs and most wonderful kisses and snuggles that any mommy and daddy could ever dream of. You, our most beautiful angel are a gift from God, a true miracle that has brought so much happiness to everyone who has the honor to know you. Today, we celebrate your life and thank God that you are home with your family forever. Happy Birthday Halainah Grace Qinyang. Mommy and Daddy love you all the way to heaven and back and more than words could ever describe.

To Halainah's birth Mama, Thank you for the most cherished gift that you have given us. Thank you for choosing life for your daughter and making our life complete. May you have peace today knowing that your daughter is loved more than anything in this world. I wish I could tell you how happy Halainah is and how she has the most beautiful smile. I wish I could tell you that she loves to color and play. I wish I could tell you how much she loves her family. I wish I could tell you just how contagious her laughter is. I know today must have been a very difficult day for you and I pray that somehow you have found comfort knowing that Halainah is so very happy.

We had a big birthday bash for Halainah on November 7th. I will blog about it in the next few days and post tons of pictures. It truly was a beautiful day filled with family and friends all coming together to celebrate our daughter's life.

Tony took the day off of work today to celebrate with Halainah. Our day started off at the doctor's for Halainah's 2 year check up. She is currently 25 pounds (19 pounds when we brought her home) and is 33 inches. She hits the US charts for weight at 35% and 45% for height. Halainah's doctor is very impressed with her physical and mental development. She is right on target for a 2 year old despite the fact of living in China for the first 13 months of her life. After the doctor, Halainah had to get blood drawn which was very uneventful as Halainah didn't even flinch for the needle and sat still while watching the blood flow from her arm to the vial, she looked very amazed. Next we went out to have a very special birthday lunch together. Halainah had all of her favorites and expressed herself all day saying, "happy." We stopped off a the mall to show Halainah Santa, although we did not stop for a picture just yet. At the mall, she was the center of attention like always. Last year I had a very hard time dealing with all of the questions and comments. But this year, I have grown accustomed to the fact that it is just going to happen no matter where we are. We ran into a Chinese family who runs a massage place in the mall. The mom came running up to us and asked, "Chinese Baby?" To which we replied, "yes." She was very interested in Halainah's story and asked a lot of questions. Halainah seemed comfortable with the woman who talked to Halainah in Chinese for a while. I often wonder if Halainah remembers her first language. But was very happy to jump back into our arms and continue the rest of her special day.

Since today was Halainah's birthday we allowed her to indulge in some sweets since we don't allow them in our home. So she had a lollipop at the doctor's office. She had a mango yogurt milkshake at the mall. She had a tootsie roll for the very first time at home. And had some chocolate cake after dinner. I am actually surprised she fell asleep tonight with all of that sugar in her little body.

Today was a beautiful day. A day that was only a dream for 10 very long years that we tried to conceive a child. We celebrated our daughter's birthday today. Our miraculous daughter's birthday. What a blessed day we had!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.


Jeremiah 29:11


After a fun day out, Halainah couldn't wait to come home to play with her kitchen that Aunt Chrissy, Uncle Joe, Cousin Vincent, Grandma and Grandpa gave her for her birthday. She LOVES her kitchen!

Talking on the phone in her kitchen!

Tootsie Roll time! Her very first Tootsie Roll!






Cake Time!



Sunday, November 1, 2009

Halloween Weekend

Halainah's very first Halloween was a "happy" success minus the rain.

Our festivities began on Friday morning with an early trip to Staten Island. Halainah showed up at Grandma's door wearing her Lady bug costume. Grandma spoiled her with some Halloween treats and Halainah was so excited. In fact, she didn't want to part with her plastic pumpkin filled with her treats. We managed somehow to talk her into leaving the pumpkin behind while we all ran out to take care of a few things. Later on in the evening, Aunt Chrissy, Uncle Joe and Cousin Vincent came to eat dinner with us. Before the evening ended we were able to dress our cuties in their Halloween costume's so we could take some pics. and laugh a bit. Of course it was nearly impossible to get the cuties to stay put or for both of them to look our way ...but we captured a few.

On Saturday, we had a bazillion stops to make which included stopping at Opa's for a quick trick or treat stop and on to errands for Halainah's party. We finally made it to Aunt Bonnie's later in the afternoon for homemade pizza...so yummy...and trick or treating in her neighborhood. By this time it was pouring but Halainah and cousin Norman didn't seem to mind at all. Even though it was a short time out because of the rain, I have such wonderful memories to hold onto. It took about 3 or so houses for Halainah to understand the concept. But she quickly mastered it, running from door to door saying, "Tri-Treat." She was laughing and smiling and holding on to her loot for dear life. She must have told us "happy" a million times that day. She melts our hearts every time she tells us she's happy with the most beautiful grin from ear to ear. Mind you on any given day she tells us, "happy" at least 50 times. But on Friday and Saturday it was more than 100 times. I wonder how many times she will tell us "happy" at her birthday party next Saturday. I can't wait to find out.

I have some pictures to share but unfortunately the trick or treating pics. are on a different camera so I hope to share those later on in the week.

I hope you all had a very happy Halloween filled with fantastic memories.

Halainah entertaining Aunt Chrissy, Uncle Joe and Cousin Vincent

Halainah's treats from Grandma and the pumpkin she carried around with her for days. She even fell asleep with it in her arms.

Aunt Chrissy, Cousin "Monkey" Vincent and "Lady Bug" Halainah


The proud daddy's, Uncle Joe with Cousin "Monkey" Vincent and daddy with his Lainey Bug

Another cute pic.

Lainey still holding her Pumpkin...thanks Grandma!

Lainey was a lady bug for Halloween but later on that evening we put her in another costume, Elmo because we couldn't resist.

Checking out some goodies.

She didn't take her eyes off of her stash for one minute!


Holding onto her "pops" for dear life!