Swimmmin'.

Day 12: Church with Gaga.

Since you guys cant even see this blog, I'm not quite sure why I faithfully update this each day. But I do. & you guys arent even keeping your updated! So today we lounged around & watched some Sunday morning cartoons. For some reason, Lucy told Bud that she wanted a sausage egg biscuit. So of course, Bud went and got her one from Hardee's to go with her fruit and yogurt. Then, Lucy and I got ready for church. She had on her new dress, and she look precious, for sure. During church, Lucy was good besides swigging tea and having to go to the bathroom every five minutes. She even drew pictures and handed them out to senile old women. How generous. Now she's down for a nap, and we're gunna take a dip in the pool while Bud grills our dinner. Later, after endless play time, we'll probably pack our suitcases up and finish our plans and surprises we've been cooking up in preparation for Wednesday. Hurrrrrrrry up!

Day 11: Cleaning, Pool, Church, Thai.

We must have worn Lucy out last night. Because she went to bed at 9:30 last night & woke up at 9:15 this morning! But anyways, I always tend to forget the messes involved in babysitting Lucy. Between our busy schedules and planned events, we all kind of fell behind on the cleaning. Shoes, clothes, toys, blankets, and other items were strung throughout the house. So we all pitched in to clean it up. I'm happy to report that the house is sparkling and Lucy is almost packed, and has each outfit, down to the shoes and underwear layed out for the remainder of her stay. We're in tip top shape. Lucy was a big help. After chores, we swam for a while and Lucy literally had to be dragged out of the pool for nap. She was having so much fun. Then, we got ready for church. Please note Lucy's poof. She looked glamourous. She really enjoyed church again, like last week. Then, she got to choose where to eat and chose Thai food, to see Joe. Unfortunately, Joe was in Thailand to care for sick family members. After having eaten there probably 30 times, it was the first time he wasnt there. Lucy was devastated, but a teenager working took note. He introduced himself as Joe's son and happily brought out Lucy's special peanuts and sticky rice. So no harm was done. She was all smiles, as shown in her picture. Then after we got back in the car, she said she wasnt ready to go home so we stopped for some ice cream and Lucy ordered "chocolate almond delight" all by herself. She's been quite the character.

Trip to the Park.

Day Ten: Baking & a trip to the park.

Nana and Uncle Mike. How are you today? We're great. Today Lucy and I helped Gaga pick up her house and pull a few weeds in the garden. I am happy to report that Lucy now carries around her own newspaper to warp Coco and threatens to "get a piece of her". She's learning to hold her own. After lunch, she suggested that we make cupcakes. So of course, we did. Coconut, just like she asked. With pink icing, as usual. They were delish. After nap, Mimi got off work early & brought home Lucy's piggy bank that we painted last Friday. Lucy is quite proud of it, because after being glazed, it's super shiny with blue, green, and yellow. It even says her full name on the back in pretty writing. Naturally, she had to scrounge up a few coins to slip into the slot & make it jingle. Tonight, Mimi and Bud had a "grown up party" to go to, so its was just us three little girls. We first ate a good meal at Jalisco's, where Lucy loved her quesadilla. Then, we went to Fortress of Fun, the community park. It was huge and Lucy ran up every step, bridge, ladder, net, wall or bar. She swung, jumped, kicked, and swang. Worn out, we settled for an ice cream at Lic's. As you can see, Lucy put on her best cheese for you. Haha. Lastly, we stopped by Gaga's to tell her goodnight before continuing with our nightly rituals. Yes, every single ritual. Jammies, brush, floss, potty, read, lights out.

Chick-Fil-A

Day Nine: Chuck E Cheese.

Well, Lucy's deffinately not sick. After eating two eggs, a kashi bar, fruit salad, grapes, chicken nuggets, fries, pizza, and a few snicky snacks, Lucy's back better than ever. We ate at Chick-fil-A today. Then after nap, Lucy woke up, and as usual, Gaga snatched her up to get the sleepy sweetness, and then returns her to me when she's loud and awake. But today, she was extra loud because Mimi promised to take her some place special, some place she had never been. The minute Lucy entered the doors of the lovely place, her eyes lit up & a smile crept across her face. She wiggled to be let down & ran straight to the games. She likes all the character cars, the bucking bronco, anything that flashed, dinged or made music, and the clock chair, which lifted her to the celing. Her all time favorite ride was the humongous rocking horse that was over 10 feet tall. We probably rode it eight times. After being given 100 token (Kailey & Bets & I might have slipped in a few games), Lucy finished with 264 tickets, and chose a ring, tootsie pops, bracelets and poprocks (which she loved). We had a good time, and it definately wore her out. So we're hoping to go to bed early. She's been an excellent sleeper too, by the way. I guess all this madness has her stirred up & thats why she refused to talk on the phone. She was probably just being contrary. Whats new. We're reaaaallly starting to miss you. POST. MORE. PICTURES. of my precious cousin please, because I'm keeping my end of the deal up!

Day Eight: TARGET.

Today, we spent another lounge day at Gaga's since Gaga was too tired. Lucy and I watched Shrek, popped popcorn, made lunch, and played with "Cokie", or as Lucy calls her "Diet Cokie". Then, the three of us all came down to the house when one of our monitors (Mimi) notified us that there were new pictures on the blog. Then, Lucy put on her new Bella Bliss dress, wore her hair in two braided ponies, and got ready to go out again for the night. As promised, we went to Target, and Lucy spotted the red circles almost six miles away. She helped pick out all the household necessities and put her two sense in on which clothes she liked of mine. When we went to her department, she saw a pair of jammies, Dora to be exact. Not even the cute kind. The satiny, ruffly, hideous kind. But Mimi said no since the smallest they came in was 2T. SOMEHOW, i'm not quite sure how, Lucy convinced Mimi to let her buy them. So tonite she's wearing cheap Jammies two sizes to big. But hey, she's happy. Then we went to Logan's Roadhouse, where Lucy ate like a little piggy. She also enjoyed pushing the peanut shells into the floor. Lastly, we ended the day with a dip in the pool, an some pretending with Bud.

P.S.: Does the blanket look familiar, Nana?

The trip to Babys R Us.

She insisted on testing out all baby equipment.

Day Seven: Girls Night Out!

Greetings from Indiana. After a long day of painting the deck, I decided it was time for a girls night out, Lucy included. We headed to Red Robin for a bite to eat. We didnt know that Lucy would absolutely LOVE that place. Not only did she eat all of her chicken fingers and fries, but she also loved the Red Robin character. She hugged him and spoke to him numerous times and as you can see, got her picture made. I was impressed. Next we went shopping for Claire's little birthday party. Lucy was in total control, she was given the final say in every single action. So get ready for one heck of a party. Then we decided to run a few more errands not worthy of mention, and Lucy came home, road a few laps around the cul-de-sak, and sent Kailey off on her date.

Is there a reason why lucy contantly keeps referring to herself as "L-Bear Jones"? It quite puzzling to me. I've never heard of such. Oh well! Its funny. She's been quite comical this week. We couldnt ask for better behavior. Good Eating. No accidents. And usually pleasant, except for when she wakes up. It was nice talking to you on the phone today! Upload more pictures so we can show them off to everyone! We're proud of that sweet little face.

Oh! and Lucy keeps saying "My mom doesnt do it like that ..." "My dad always does this...!" Haha.

For your musical entertainment.

Day Six: The Big News!

We were waiting for this day! This morning, we checked the blog every five minutes because i just knew there would be pictures. i could feel it. and i literally watched the computer when a new link popped up instantaneously just as you had finished it. i'm quite confident that lucy & i were the first to view it. Lucy says her sissy is cute. I drug Gaga down here as well, and made mom's secretary drag her out of some kind of meeting to check the pictures. its really quite amazing how we all love this little face so much. even without knowing her history, or ever meeting her, we are all willing to do anything for this little baby. i feel like she was made just for us. and that its was just part of God's plan, this whole time. Our tiny family feels so complete, something i never really realized before until now. i never would have imagined a few years ago. i'm really happy your doing this. we're ready to welcome claire ruth qin'ai connor into our open arms.

And! lucy said she was willing to share her clothes, her snicky-snacks, her toys, and august with claire. but NOT her tricycle.

.. oh! lucy also said she had a guardian angel watching over her. and his name is buddy bear.

Day Five: Church with Gaga, swimming, and grilling.

So today, well our time, is the big day. While all of us our snug in our beds in Indiana, you guys will experience your monumental day. We're all crazy with excitement. It was extra exciting to hear from you this morning. Happy Father's Day, Uncle Mike! Lucy is planning something special when you return. She also said that today was "Buddy Bear Day" since he was a dad too. After breakfast, we got ready for church with Gaga, and Lucy looked very cute. She requested "special beehive buns" and picked out her new pink dress. She received many compliments and Gaga showed her off like any proud grandmother would. When we got back, Kailey and Mom prepared a big feast of "Uncle Mike's pasta", which was so delicious that even Betsy dropped by. Of course that also meant that Lucy got two new outfits as well. And since Lucy has been such a good girl, she was granted permission to go swimming and have a raspberry popsicle. All in all, its been a good day.

Day Four: Huge Feast & Church.

We though of you today when we were eating or home cooked meal. It could beat out Asian food any day. Dad picked up some ribs from the fire department, who was having a fundraiser. And Mimi and Gaga whipped up some hashbrown casserole, baked beans, macaroni salad, and lettuce salad. Lucy ate an unbeleivable amount. Then once we rested and let our stomachs recover, we headed off to church. Lucy loves the "big band", and the "guy in the red shirt on the big TV" who sings. She quietly colored and often stopped to listen to the sermon. During communion, she discreetly took out her Juicy Juice and goldfish, without anyone telling her, and ate and drank when the pastor instructed. It was the cutest thing I have ever seen. Then Mimi and Bud took her out to Steak and Shake for a special banana milkshake, while Kailey and I shopped for Father's Day gifts. We're counting days!

PS: We thought you might miss this little giggle.

Naps with Gaga and a jealous feline.

Day Three: Painting Pottery.

Today, we decided to mix things up a bit. Since Lucy often complains that her piggy bank is too small and about to burst, we chose to go to fired up, where there where endless choices. She decided, for some reason, to paint a telephone bank. Who am I to argue with the princess? By the way, the pictures shown are not the finished project, we also opted for some flowers & puffy paint. Anyway, Lucy loved mixing the colors, experimenting with various brush sizes, rinsing all utensils and scraping off every fleck of paint from the table. I apologize about the first picture. Its the best we could acheive. Lucy was having such a good time that she was annoyed to have to stop her fabulous artwork for even a few seconds. But once we drew in stencils, we sent it to the kiln, where it will be ready to pick up next Friday. Then, Mimi cancelled the rest of her afternoon, and decided to come spend some quality time with her favorite three year old. They watched "a little cartoon", and went to the grocery store where everything Lucy pointed to was purchased. Currently, we are making dinner and Lucy is entertaining us with her endless, yet hilarious, chatter. I'm not seeing any progress on that blog, guys! Get on it! Miss you.

Putting the swimming skills to use.

Mozart in the Making.

If you listen closely, she sings.

Day Two: Lounging at Gaga's.

This morning Lucy decided to get the morning started off right with two eggs, two pancakes, and a big bowl of cantaloupe. Since we were under tornado watch most of the morning, we canceled all plans and decided to lounge around Gaga's house and catch up on play time. All day, we've played tea party, cars, baby dolls, and read numerous books. After being swatted repeatedly, Coco finally took a liking to Lucy. She licks her hand (which gets washed later, dont worry), and follows her everywhere she goes. Lucy learned the appropraite way to pick her up, and does so saying the she "will pick Claire up just like this", too bad Coco weighs 6 pounds and Claire weighs 22. Later, Larren dropped by to join us for our lunch of grilled cheeses, and Lucy explained to her the calendar concept, which she looked at over and over, and reminded everyone that there would be absolutely no peeking. After nap and whatnot, we plan on grabbing a bite to eat with Mimi, and swimming in the pool. So try to catch some Z's on that endless flight of yours, call when you can, and keep the blog updated with every detail of progress. Love you!

Day One: Retrieval of the Princess

After the exchange, Lucy was excited to get to Mimi's and check out everything. After engulfing Bud in a humongous bear hug, and greeting Archie, she made a beeline for the pool. Since it was relatively near bedtime, we made a promise to swim tomorrow, but Lucy insisted on checking the pool's temperature. Now, we're ready to use the "motor" on her teeth, slip into some PJ's and get rested up for a long two weeks. Have fun on the 26 hour flight!

Before the madness begins ...

Dearest Nana and Uncle Mike, [and Claire],

Since calls from China are ridiculously expensive, this blog was created to document another journey apart from your own. It is dedicated to update and fill you in on the two week party at Mimi's house. We'll be sure to show you evidence of all the fun events we have planned, and hopefully a few videos along the way. Between Mimi, Bud, Gaga, Tia, Larren, and myself, I believe that the little princess is in good hands. So hop on your 26 hour flight, retrieve your precious cargo, and relax, because its nothing but fun here. See you at the airport!