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RIO or HOP? RIO!!!

On Saturday afternoon Leyna and I decided to take the girls to the movies.  We thought since Easter was the next day that they'd want to see HOP...nope, they both said RIO!!  Logan is a veteran moviegoer at the ripe old age of 6, but this was Ciara's first foray into the movie theater.  I wasn't sure how she was going to behave, you know, sitting still, not asking 50 million questions that everyone else in the theater can hear, telling me how bored she is, the old I gotta go to the potty routine to break up the monotony (she especially likes to use that one during church, lol), but she did great!  The movie had her attention from the very beginning and between watching in awe at the mounds of popcorn those two devoured and her interactive comments throughout the movie, we all were quite entertained for 1 1/2 hrs.  These pics are before, during and after the movie!

NEW BLOG

Just wanted you all to know that I had to create this new blog because for some reason Blogger decided that they weren't going to merge your old blog with their new formats (or some such silliness), soooo...here it is!  I hope that by creating this new blog and taking the time that it takes to do so, it will provide the kick in the pants I need to keep it pretty updated...hmmmmm, we'll see!  I did however figure out how to import all of my previous posts from the old blog into this one.  I'm going to do a post later on tonight kinda to update everyone on what's been happening since Oct.  Well, maybe the abridged version but with lots of pics...so stay tuned!!!

9 PRINCIPLES

9 PRINCIPLES:

1. America Is Good.

2. I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.


God “The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained.” from George Washington’s first Inaugural address.


3. I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.


Honesty “I hope that I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider to be the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.” George Washington


4. The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.


Marriage/Family “It is in the love of one’s family only that heartfelt happiness is known. By a law of our nature, we cannot be happy without the endearing connections of a family.” Thomas Jefferson


5. If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.


Justice “I deem one of the essential principles of our government… equal and exact justice to all men of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political.” Thomas Jefferson


6. I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.


Life, Liberty, & The Pursuit of Happiness “Everyone has a natural right to choose that vocation in life which he thinks most likely to give him comfortable subsistence.” Thomas Jefferson


7. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.


Charity “It is not everyone who asketh that deserveth charity; all however, are worth of the inquiry or the deserving may suffer.” George Washington


8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.


On your right to disagree “In a free and republican government, you cannot restrain the voice of the multitude; every man will speak as he thinks, or more properly without thinking.” George Washington


9. The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me.


Who works for whom? “I consider the people who constitute a society or a nation as the source of all authority in that nation.” Thomas Jefferson

HALLOWEEN PARADE AT PRESCHOOL

Ciara's preschool had their Halloween Parade today around the school grounds. Ciara is a scarecrow this year, not her choice but mine, lol. She isn't getting this whole dressing up and asking for candy thing. She likes it but she doesn't get it, lol. And since she didn't ask to dress up in anything in particular, she became the scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz. She, Logan, and cousins Gavin and McKenna will be trick or treating together. Logan is gonna be Dorothy, Gavin the Tinman and baby McKenna the Lion, hence Ciara as the scarecrow. That happens Saturday. But for now here are the pictures from the parade. She was so cute leading the way. It was very cold out and I fear it's gonna be another cold one on Saturday night. The kids don't mind, but I for one am not looking forward to it!! LOL

I really didn't have Ciara pose for this picture exactly like a scarecrow, lol. When I said "Cheese!" she just threw her arms out wide!Leading the parade!Look how little Ciara is compared to all the rest of the kids in her class!After such a beautiful day yesterday, today it was really cold and windy and this parade stuff is starting to wear on Ciara. Luckily she had clothes on underneath her costume or she never would've made it out there!Each child got on this platform and stated what they were supposed to be. They were all so cute!

AN ABSOLUTE MUST READ!!!

Don't stop and think about it, just CLICK HERE!!!!

TWO FIRSTS

Both Logan and Ciara started school last week. Logan had her first day of kindergarten on Tuesday, 8-31......and Ciara started preschool on Thursday, 9-2.Logan of course looked smashing in a new skirt her mommy got her......but Ciara was a little miffed that Logan got to go and she had to wait two more days!Right before Leyna took Logan to school, Logan's Aunt Jamie called to wish her luck on her first day. I'd say that Logan got the talkin' on the phone pose down; don't you think?They really do "lub" each other! (Ciara's hair looks a lot longer in this pic...yay!!!)Logan had a great first week at school, so far so good! She has pointed out though that the "other" Logan in her class, a boy, got his name put up on the board for talking already, and not her, lol

And finally it was Ciara's turn and she was soooo ready for school. I actually hadn't even thought of putting her in preschool yet because the last I knew from 20 + years ago --- ahem --- kids went to preschool after they turned four. So since I do a lot of my work at home, I knew she was going to get bored easily, and she really wanted to go. So off she went! Her bookbag/overnight bag, lol, is almost the same size as she is!No fear!Those boys look like giants compared to Ciara!Eight little bookbags all in a row...six boys (Seth, Brock, Jordan, Timothy, Talon & Griffin) and two girls (Cali & Ciara).

ONE YEAR AGO...

On August 31st, 2009, all of our dreams came true when my mom and I met Ciara for the first time...and then I was punched in the face! LOLOn August 31st, 2010, Ciara is a happy, very well adjusted 3 1/2 year old and everyone she meets falls completely in love with her. She's only gained 3 pounds this last year, but grown 1 1/2 inches taller. It's a tradition to dress the kids in the clothes you met them in to see the growth...see how much taller she's gotten? We love you very much, Sweet Ciara!! Unfortunately, I can't find that other shoe!

YOGI & CECIL'S FUNDRAISERS

As I mentioned a couple months ago, I started a new business called Yogi & Cecil's Clippy Creations, and I make hair clippies. Like these two for example:

Or, these two...And this set...And then these last two from my China Collection.If you want to know the significance of the ladybug to Chinese adoptions, click HERE.Okay, enough of the shameless plugging of my business, now down to the good stuff. Yogi & Cecil's is sponsoring two fundraisers; one for the Rizzo family who are waiting for TA to bring this little beauty home (Amelia)...

And the other fundraiser for the Little family who are also waiting to bring their little jewel home (Ellie).

Okay, this is the part where you all come in so PAY ATTENTION, PLEASE! For every purchase you make at Yogi & Cecil's Facebook page, we're going to be giving these two families 50% of the sales. There is an option set up on my Facebook page for each clippy so you can choose which family's fundraiser you'd like your purchase to go towards. It's...that...simple! To order through Facebook all you do is click on the "Shop Now" button, it's a very simple set up. Oh, and don't forget to hit that little "Like" button to become a fan, that way you'll stay updated of all the new clippies that are added on a regular basis.

Now, for those of you who are not familiar with Facebook and don't wanna be, we have option No. 2 and that is YOGI & CECIL'S BLOG. I have set up a "Chip-In" account for each family. From the blog I will only be taking orders either by email at yogiandcecils@verizon.net or through posts on that blog. Once you have placed an order, I will give you your total and then that will be the amount that you will Chip In on either the Little or Rizzo Fundraiser. And, again, don't forget to become a follower or our blog 'cause...it's just cool! Now, the blog is still under construction and hopefully will be completely stocked and loaded by Sunday night with all of the inventory and pricing info, so keep checking back!

With your help, the Rizzos and Littles can have a very successful fundraiser to offset some of the costs associated with International Adoption, and as most of you are quite familiar, there are a lot of costs!!! God bless you all!

PLEASE REMOVE...

Man, it's been awhile since I've posted, I've got to get back into the swing of things...AGAIN!!! While I was stalking other blogs, I came across this poem, and knew I had to post it. It says a lot of what I've been feelin' lately and is a prayer that needs prayin' by all of us.

~~~~~~~~~~

Dear God,

Please untie the knots that are in my mind, my heart and my life.

Remove the have nots, the can nots and the do nots that I have in my mind.

Erase the will nots, may nots, might nots that may find a home in my heart.

Release me from the could nots, would nots and should nots that obstruct my life.

And most of all, Dear God, I ask that you remove from my mind, my heart and my life all of the ‘am nots’ that I have allowed to hold me back, especially the thought that I am not good enough.

Amen

Author Unknown

BEAUTIFUL LOGAN MAY

I don't know about you all, but kids grow up way too fast! I have been telling Logan, and I started telling Ciara, that you two need to stay just as little as you are right now. I'd like your brains to grow (translated to mean I'd like them to be more knowledgeable, more responsible, more obedient, lol), but your bodies need to stop this growing stuff right now!! Now, Logan May is only five years old, but somehow my dear granddaughter went from being little girl cute to just plain gorgeous and here's the proof!

EASY RIDER

The Wednesday before the 4th after evening Bible Classes, Roger and I along with Ciara drove down to Wal-Mart to get her a new bike. She was beside herself with excitement. Not because she hasn't been riding one all summer because she has. Logan's Granny Julie, who Ciara lovingly calls Ju Ju, had been letting Ciara borrow the bike that Logan had outgrown, but only until Logan's cousin Gavin who is fast approaching three years old was big enough to ride it. Well, that day arrived a couple weeks ago and so Ciara needed another bike. Ciara had a tough decision to make. Should she get the Disney Princesses bike with the horn (not my choice, lol), or go with the Hello Kitty bike with streamers, a cute little removable backpack on the front to store her "stuff," and the best accessory yet, a seat to give your baby a ride? After going back and forth for what seemed forever, and in actuality was only like five minutes, she finally chose......the Hello Kitty bike! Yay!!

Now, if any of you know where we live, you know there is zero, zip, nada, absolutely no place to ride bikes!!! LOL And we can kid ourselves and try to make it sound exciting, but back porches and gravelly driveways just stink for riding bikes.

But one of the best places to ride bikes is parking lots, especially almost brand new blacktopped ones! Say, a church parking lot! So after waiting four more agonizing days, finally on Sunday night, the 4th of July, Ciara got to celebrate by taking her bike with her and riding it to her heart's content. She wiped out no less than five times, but she never cried once (she's a tough little cookie), and I think that girl would've rode that bike back and forth and back and forth all night long had we let her.

And of course I took a few pictures...

Getting ready to leave for Sunday evening worship on the 4th of July!Are we going or what, Mommy?I can't concentrate with you taking pictures all the time, Mommy!My new bike is way cool!Ciara, dear, you have a little confetti ice cream around those sweet lips.So much pavement, so little time.Even though she's only gained 3 pounds since she came home last August and grew about an inch and a half, look how chubby her little legs look in this picture, lol

LAMININ --- AMAZING!

GOIN 'WIMMING

Usually Leyna takes the girls over to Logan's Papa Jim's to go swimming, they're pool is much bigger than this little one we have just to get cooled off, and they had all been over there swimming earlier in the day, but Ciara hadn't had enough and wanted to take one more dip before we called it a night.

Oh, that water is cold!Ciara just loves to swim!Oooooo, it's still cold! La la la la la...Splash!!