Here's the stuff

God's Word says to raise our children up in the knowledge of Him. We can't think of a better way to do that than to teach her Jesus Loves me as her first song. We have a ways to go.

What has happened recently? Hospitals. Yes, Yazi was pretty cranky for about a week. No fever, no runny nose, no ear infection, nothing. We had Spencer's birthday party at a water park in Little Rock, left Yazi with a friend for a few hours. Got home and put her in the tub. Washing her hair, we noticed the outside of her ear was swollen. By Friday morning, it was huge. Off to the doc. Shots over the weekend, hospital on Monday with a staph infection. She went home late Wednesday. She was tethered to the wall and IV machine like a dog on a leash. When she got home, we had to celebrate with a hospital gown photo op.

Spencer was happy to have everybody home. Michelle and I were switching out at the hospital quite a bit. He has been a real trooper. He used to get all the attention, now it's quite diminished, but he seems to take it all in stride.

It helps though when you slip him something in his Capri Sun. He gets mellow.

Kidding, don't call Human Services.
We do alot of nonsense talk around here, mostly cuz she likes to laugh. (she fits in real good with us)

Back to fashion accessories. We have cut some of the hair to give it a little more pizzazz. Or was it cuz she looked like a sheep dog? Either way, it's out of her eyes for now, which she likes (remember, happy child make happy mama mean daddy get to sleep at night)

We were having to use my hat to keep the hair out, but people kept calling her dude and that just had to stop.

But, with the discovery of headbands, length of hair is no longer a problem, and it's pretty cheap.

We've been rolled by Tide

I will in the next few days post some of the goings on recently. Today, two things. First, when you spot a team 21 points, it's hard to come back. Razorbacks played Alabama this past weekend. We did come back but couldn't hang on against Bama. The kids tried their best to cheer them on, but to no avail. Great college football game though. Below are my two in the middle. My niece Raegan on the left (she's a princess, no seriously, she really is). She is a hoot to be around, very dramatic. And Graham, nephew, is on the right. He gets into as much stuff as Yazi does if not more. I think they were cut from the same mold.



Yazi is now into fashion. My wallet is already groaning. She already copies Mama and likes to wear whatever it is Chelle set out to wear. Also, we have been working on Jesus Loves Me. We get a word in every once in awhile. MOre to come.

Give 'em 30 and they'll take 35

I must apologize for the length of time between posts. Work has been occupying alot of my time. So, the title deserves an explanation. I am a diehard Andy Griffith Show fan. There is no greater show that has ever been written and/or aired. The writing was genius, the acting flawless, the characterization of America is spot on. That, and it's just plain funny. Barney has a unique perspective on life. In the episode, "Barney gets a motorcycle", he claims he needs it to patrol the highway at Turner's ridge or some place like that. Andy says, I wish you wouldn't bother the trucker's. They need the extra speed to get over the hill. Barney replies, "but Andy, if you give 'em 30, they'll take 35. If you give 'em 35, they'll take 40. If you give 'em 40, they'll take 45...and so on."

He didn't realize how prophetic that was in raising little girls who think they own the world. Spencer can't even eat a quiet meal without Madam Southpaw chucking dinner across the room.


Here's the real problem. She's got everyone right where she wants them. The little diva. Did I mention she likes caviar with her ritz crackers, lobster with her cheese nips, and baked alaska with her twinkies.

Where's Yazi? That is the pervading question. When all else fails, look in the cabinets. Go figure.

Most importantly, we've got two fantastic kiddos. Fortunately, the love each other very much. Spencer watches out for her very well. In fact, he may be harder on her than Chelle and I are.



By the way, Yazi got a photo op with Andy Griffith the other day.



She was beside herself with joy

The Real Deal

We went to Wal-Mart yesterday and spent a THOUSAND DOLLARS(that's for you James) on those adjustable gates to corner off important areas of the house(if there are any left) because....

Squash, grilled cheese, and other Kodak moments

It has been busy around here since the last post. This one is long overdue. First, therapy is going well, sometimes, and then there are those where she tests her vocal cords for the speech therapist. Yazi forgets that she's there to learn to chew, not holler. Why she thinks she needs help with that, I'm not sure. Actually, she is eating considerably better now. She's just behind. The therapist says she's smart, just delayed. Considering where she and the other girls came from, and how far they have come, we ain't worried about her at all. So, tonight, she got pieces of chicken (loves it), grilled cheese sandwich (devoured it), and squash. What can I say about the squash except that she is pursuing an environmentally friendly clothing line. It's a new product she is developing called Fabri-grow. As seen below, put enough seeds on you, add growth nutrient like Gatorade, and you have a natural covering for your bod, ala Adam and Eve and their fig leaf line.




She loves being outside, especially in nice grass. On this day, she got to see Spencer play in a tournament in Little Rock. By the way, it may have been the best games that he has ever played. We enjoyed ourselves quite a bit and he did as well.



Back on the homefront, she has decided to rule over the most pitiful dog in the world. Heidi, oh Heidi, she and I don't jive all the time. We got her from a animal shelter while we were waiting on Yazi. Why, I'll never know. But, yazi likes Heidi, or the yelping sound she makes when yazi takes her tail with her. There is no sacred place in the house that yazi has not soiled. She kicked Heidi out.



After we got back from China, we started the process of insurance, social security, etc. It was an "interesting" process. I say "interesting" because I know young eyes may read this blog and I don't want to fill their little minds with the words that are going thru my mind to describe this whole ordeal. The federal government and the Chinese government recognized yazi as ours, but not the insurance company. It took forever. The last thing needed was an English translation of our adoption decree. This young girl at Hendrix graciously translated it for us. Her name is Wang, Yi (chinese last name goes first). So, the process was salvaged because of her and we are eternally grateful.



Photo below is from Easter morning. I think it was 38 degrees that morning. Go figure. I don't know if you have picked this up, but Yazi loves, LOVES, her big brother. He probably has had more to do with her walking than us. He takes care of her.



Speaking of walking, she has resisted for some time. Her legs are plenty strong, but I think walking was too slow for her. She crawls much faster and here decided that bear crawling was much better and you didn't fall down that much. She probably bear crawled around 50 yards before she decided to play. Also, at the soccer field.



All in all, she has taken everything in stride. We feel like she has always been part of the family. It is hard to believe that we have had her for 6 months (our post placement is this Friday.) She and Spencer have certainly brought us immense joy. Except when there is cryin'...poopin'...whinin'...fussin'...cussin'... destruction...but I digress.

She's comin' along

As with many orphan children, there are a few developmental delays. Yazi never has chewed her food. She bites it off with her razor sharp front teeth and then stores it in her mouth like a chipmunk. The food will sit there until it dissolves and then she can swallow. But, she is gaining weight (a good thing) and she is actually starting to use those muscles in her mouth more (I should say for eating as opposed to the screaming fit when she doesn't get her way). She is starting to talk more, she mimics many things, and most importantly she loves to smile.

But, we are excited to report that walking is here. She has stood on the side of the chair or couch for a long time, but never had the desire to let go. Here lately she stands on her own from a seated position. (we celebrate the little things). And now, she has progressed to walking. So, please join us in celebrating this milestone below:












Well, she's almost there...

Miss Personality

Seein' as we are just now posting again, and seein' as some folks haven't come to visit, and seein' as this is a one sided conversation, here's the skinny on the latest edition to our family. When we first got her picture, we had conjectured that perhaps she was bored with the whole picture deal, or at least inconvinenced (sp?). I think we hit the nail on the head. Little Yazi is quite the independent, get out of my way, it's my way or the tantrum way, type of girl. She is completely opposite of Spencer. He's easygoing, content, adjusts to anything. She is high strung, intense, moody, and defiant. The battles around here have been bombastic and often. She loves her momma and daddy, but has no qualms about calling our bluff. I think she has told me no more than I've told her no. It's really not a fair fight. She throws her hands up, says no in an innocent voice, and then I have to keep from laughing.


This is serious. No fun. Discipline is required. I'm currently building a high tower beside the house to put her in. I'm having a little problem getting a variance from the city.

For the anger that she can show, she goes the opposite extreme and can be as intensely loving and funny. She runs the gamut of emotions on an hourly basis. Except when she sleeps. Hey, now there's the solution. Dramimine conquers all tantrums.

The picture below is actually from today. She has been licking a strawberry fruit grain bar. She gave Chelle some fruit flavored sugar. Open mouth as well.

Now this is the face I'm talking about. But, Daddy, I love you. Ain't I sweet. Really, try me. I'm as sweet as strawberries.


Her new gig is watching soccer with daddy. When the announcer hollers goal, she'll throw her hands up, holler goal, and be proud of herself for how cute she is.



For now, that is all. I'm gonna have to sort thru pics and videos. We'll keep going.

Memorial Day with our little duck

Way back we had posted that Yazi in Chinese was used as a nickname for the youngest girl in the family. Today, little duck got to swim with her big brother, Spongebob Spencerpants. There is a link on the right to take you to the video. This is a short post but we will be putting up more later.