Ahh...The Life of a Princess!

It is such an awesome feeling to have a girly-girl and watch her be lost in her own little fantasy world. Precious. Sweet. Innocent.

Deshing Darling's 4th Birthday!

One of our playgroup friends (see Deshing Darling under my White Swans link) had her 4th birthday party today. Mama Darling did a GREAT job piecing things together and totally CREATING things to go with "The Little Einsteins" theme which doesn't seem to have anything out on the market yet. Hey Mama D, maybe THAT'S how you could make an extra buck....market all your Little Einstein stuff! Oh, and Phil can take out stock in V8. HAHAHA! We had a great time watching the girls do pin the tail on the donkey, musical number walk, "help" open the gifts, and have ice cream and cake. Well, and it was pretty funny watching my PandaGirl dump her Chex-mix BACK into the bowl......for the SECOND time! Oh my.

Happy Birthday, Kori!

My niece, Kori, turned 6 on Friday. This past summer my brother and his family moved from Texas to North Carolina to start a new church with some fellow ministers. They had their kick off service a couple of weeks ago and are doing great! I can't believe that I don't get to be with my niece and three nephews as they grow up, but at least we have BLOGGING! At least I can "see" them grow. Hi, D,K,E,K,J & M!!! XXXOOO

Fajita Wanna-Be!

I don't know WHO decided that they knew how to make fajitas, but they are sorely mistaken on how this process works!!! For convenience sake I broke down and bought this Tyson pre-bagged, fajita kit ensemble. NEVER AGAIN!!! The serving size on the back of the bag says that it is made for SEVEN servings. UH, not in TEXAS.....the creators of fajitas!!! Take a look at my skillet and tell me that you can make SEVEN fajitas out of this. No way. Maybe if you put one piece of chicken per tortilla. Nobody does that. Needless to say, I will continue making my very own VERY delicious homemade fajitas. No more pre-bagged wanna-be-fajitas for this Texan!

Sesame Stree Personality Quiz!!!

You Are Elmo

Sweet and innocent, you expect everyone to adore you. And they usually do! You are usually feeling: Talkative. You've got tons of stories to tell. And when you aren't talking, you're laughing. You are famous for: Being popular, though no one knows why. Middle aged women especially like you. How you life your life: With an open heart. "Elmo loves you!"

The Sesame Street Personality Quiz

THIS IS HILARIOUS!!! GO TRY IT OUT AND SEE WHO YOU ARE. I am Elmo and PandaPop is BIG BIRD!! So fun and silly! ; )

You Are Big Bird

Talented, smart, and friendly... you're also one of the sanest people around. You are usually feeling: Happy. From riding a unicycle to writing poetry, you have plenty of hobbies to keep you busy. You are famous for: Being a friend to everyone. Even the grumpiest person gets along with you. How you life your life: Joyfully. "Super. Duper. Flooper."

The Sesame Street Personality Quiz

Thursday Thirteen #2

Thirteen of My Favorite Drinks in NO Particular Order:

1. Big Red

2. Coffee with Vanilla Caramel Creamer

3. Cherry 7-UP

4. Dr. Pepper

5. Starbucks' Caramel Frappuccino

6. Fruit Smoothies

7. Chocolate Malts

8. Sweet Iced Tea

9. Iced Mandarin Orange Green Tea

10. French Vanilla Cappuccino from Exxon (or most any convenience store! HA!)

11. Starbucks' White Chocolate Mocha

12. Sonic Cherry Limeade

13. MILK!!! White or Chocolate


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M-O-U-S-E!!!

A few weeks ago we started thinking about planning a trip to Disney World. Well, we have now put $$$ down and are booked through Triple A....you know the little AAA sticker on the back of cars....I feel so grown up now that I get to put one on ours! I just remember my grandparents always having that little red and white AAA sticker on the back window. OK-that was random...anyways...Mine and PandaPop's 15th wedding anniversary is in August and we went to Disney World for our honeymoon. We can't think of a better way nor time to go and celebrate with our precious PandaGirl who is totally IN LOVE WITH THE PRINCESSES as well as MICKEY MOUSE CLUBHOUSE!!!!! So instead of all the fret and worry over adopting we are focusing on our PG and having a blast planning for our vacation. BTW: PP and I have been on ONE....yes, I said ONE vacation for our entire marriage. I think it's time. After we get back from that then maybe in September we will start down the adoption path again. Maybe it will be closer to the Lord's timing. Clearly, NOW IS NOT THE TIME.

Soooooo, with that said....let's all sing...
M-I-C-K-E-Y.....M-O-U-S-E!
See ya real soon!

This is for JODY

Jody, if you are reading this still then know that I DO remember you and would love to chat, but you left me no way of contacting you!!! Leaving info on my comments will be visible to anyone who chooses to look at them. Thanks for finding me, but I just can't get back to YOU! Smile.

I Hear You, Lord.

If any of you read my sappy post from Friday you know that I was pretty bummed about the whole adoption thing. Over the weekend we just decided to not think about it for awhile. Put it on a back burner. What's the rush? We can't rush God and His timing anyway. I also was given that peace that passes understanding promised to Believers who present our requests to God. He is so amazing...reigning in my emotions the way He does. Several things over the weekend brought my eyes into focus on how everything in my life is in the Lord's hands. I don't need to sweat it, worry over it, or fret about it. When we DO get bogged down with the harshness of this world He is always there to pick us up, turn things around, make us new. This song by Steven Curtis Chapman was playing yesterday before our church service started. We NEVER have music like this playing before the service. Other stuff, but not SCC. I have the CD, but haven't listened to it in awhile so I got it out and popped in the CD player on the way to our Monday playgroup. I listened to the words that I had heard so many times before and was so moved that the Lord was playing them for ME. Right now. For these crazy issues we are facing. I looked up and just said, "Thank you, Lord. I hear you." It was such a sweet reminder that I am always in His care. For those times when God seems silent and I feel like my prayers are just echoing into neverland He gives me these PRECIOUS times to recall and remind myself that He hears me. All the time. He renews and He restores. He transforms our broken hearts into something new and beautiful. Hallelujah.

This YouTube video was the only one "out there". It's ok, but the words and music are what I hope you imprint on your heart. If you are reading this and have NO IDEA what I am talking about...this peace...then click my first link called Wanna Be Free? It will lead you to how you become a Believer in Jesus Christ. He is our only Hope and the only way to be made new.



Steven Curtis Chapman - "All Things New" Lyrics

You spoke and made the sunrise, to light up the very first day
You breathed across the water, and started the very first wave
It was You
You intoduced Your glory, to every living creature on earth
And they started singing, the first song to ever be heard
They sang for You

You make all things new
You make all things new

Then the world was broken, fallen and battered and scarred
You took the hopeless, the life, wasted, ruined and marred
And made it new

You make all things new
You make all things new
You redeem and You transform
You renew and You restore
You make all things new
You make all things new
And forever we will watch and worship You

You turn winter into spring
You take every living thing
And You breathe Your breath of life into it over and over again

You made the sunrise, day after day after day
But there's a morning coming, when old things will all pass away
And everyone will see

You make all things new
You make all things new
Come redeem and come transform
Come renew and come restore
You make all things new
You make all things new
And forever we will watch and worship You

Now and forever You are making all things new
You're making all things new

Hallelujah...

Friday Night Fun!

For about six months now we have been enjoying building a family tradition. Whenever we are home on a Friday night we have a "Slumber Party"!!! We finish dinner and then get out blankets, sleeping bags, stuffed animals, put on our PJs, get a fun treat to eat and watch a movie together. Even the kitty, Miao, enjoys laying around our feet on the cozy blankets! I absolutely LOVE this time. I love to go-go-go, but at heart I am a HOMEBODY. I make an effort to keep our home cozy, inviting and like a haven...a place of refuge and peace. Many people have told me this about my home. I take that as a huge compliment. We have never really lived in a "nice" home as compared to our peers, but everywhere we have been I make sure that the inside relfects who we are and that Christ is present. For now the movies are either cartoon-like kid movies or great family classics. It will be fun to watch how the movies change as PandaGirl grows up. This past Friday we watched Over the Hedge and had chocolate treats. Such fun memories!

Yankee Candles!

While at the mall I just had to go into the Yankee Candle Shop. I love so many of their scents. Now that the holidays are over I am ready to move from orange-cranberry or cinnamon-spice scents to one I enjoy for this time of year. Macintosh Apple. Yum. So crispy, fresh and awakening. Makes me start thinking about the crispness of spring just around the corner. It is bright red....my favorite color and add just the right touch to our home. mmmmm.

Quick Visit...

PandaGirl's grandparents came up and took us to lunch on Friday. We made a trip over to a huge mall in our area. We enjoy eating at the food court and just messing around. PG has been eating with chopsticks since she was two!!! I love watching her and I get a kick out of other people being shocked that she does it so well!

Love Your Family

I adore my family. I was meant to be a mom. The struggle to get PandaGirl was a tough one. Many trials, detours, wonderings, defeats just to get her. God had a plan and we have a daughter. Thank You, Lord. I was hoping that this next adoption would be easier. HA! It is turning out to be the same song, second verse. Yes, this is somewhat a venting post. I don't use my blog for that, because who wants to read other people's woes? Everyone has enough of their own. Today though, I just have to get it out. I am so incredibly frustrated with this adoption process. For over a month now (not to take away from the last TWELVE YEARS of trying!!!) we have been on this crazy roller coaster of trying to figure out what we are supposed to do about adding to our family. In one breath I say that I am trusting the Lord for His plan, yet when things come along and push us down again I find myself getting all whiney about how hard it is. Thank goodness my salvation and eternal security don't rest on anything I can do. My attitude alone would screw all that up. God IS good.

Jars of Clay

has a song out now (that has THE coolest video!) called "Work" and the lyrics say..."I have no fear of drowning. It's the breathing that's taking so much work." How is it that we can go from complete ecstasy to down in the dumps about life? Part of the journey we are on is balancing the fact that as a Believer we have an eternal home waiting for us yet we are here on this little planet for a purpose. I am grateful for the opportunity to grow closer to the Lord. I do trust Him. I am just so frustrated and wondering right now. Other families who struggle to build can identify with me on this.... Why is it so hard to get one child when the world seems to be able to "pop" them out like Pez candy...many of them not even liking Pez. My dispenser is broken. There is no possibility of me getting pregnant. None. I have had surgery and will never carry a baby. You'd think then that maybe adopting would be the sure fire way to get children. When you hear the word "adoption" it might bring up thoughts of how wonderful it is to take in a child. How noble. How simple. Well, it is a VERY COMPLICATED process, very long, very expensive and very frustrating. In the end it is all worth it. I just want there to be an end. We are still not sure what we are going to do. Since the week before Christmas we have literally gone from going to China for the second time to "NO!", to domestic, to Hong Kong, to Korea, to El Salvador, to Vietnam, back to domestic, Oh wait!---maybe you REALLY CAN go back to China---Oh wait, not really...back to domestic.....what IS this craziness? Our lot? God's plan? I know that we will only get stronger through this. Many people have it worse. We are blessed and could never even begin to count all those blessings. I'll get over this and move on and look back one day and wonder why I fretted, but for today I am tired of struggling.

II Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

Thursday Thirteen #1

Thirteen Things about PandaMom and the Blogosphere 1. I entered the Blogoshere at the end of July '06. 2. I have taught myself how to get around Blogoshpere and how to work my blog. Still need ALOT of help! Now I want to know how to have a cute header without messing up the html already in place for the header I got when I copied and pasted the "code" for this thing. 3. My custom blog from Bluebird Blogs is on its way...Woohoo!!! 4. I love getting online, checking my blog and finding a new comment! 5. I adore finding really cool blogs and searching through them. 6. Though cyberspace is virtually endless I have found people through blogging that are very much like me or like some of the same things I do. 7. It is a nice feeling to connect with another person even if you technically never "meet" them. 8. Not everyone in Blogoshere is nice. In fact, there is a whole world out there that freaks me out!!!!! 9. I love the anonymity of using fun code names for my family even though some of my commenters have slipped up a few times and posted our real names. 10. I have so much fun taking pics JUST for blogging. 11. Searching the web for cute graphics or pics is a blast. 12. Connecting with other Believers, families with daughers from China and just like-minded, kindred-spirit kinda souls is refreshing. 13. This Blog is a voice for me. An expression that I never dreamed of. I have so much FUN doing it!!!I wish I knew more computer lingo and knowhow to move more quickly. I am addicted and can only see myself going deeper in this phenomenon called the Blogoshere.

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Why All the Name Callin'???

This post is for those of you who might have noticed on some of my comments that a particular blogger and I call each other a "geek". At some point in my life with my friend at

Glorious Grace

and I started calling each other a "GEEK". It has stuck for ten years now. I can't even remember what ever got us started. Maybe you do, Geek, I know you are reading this at work and laughing. I can even hear your laugh. Little Miss Glorious Grace was an eighth grader when I met her. We are eleven? years apart. PandaPop became her youth minister, I fell in love with her darling self and for some reason she thought I had something "motherly" in me. I did find myself mentoring her, though not really knowing about what exactly. Through the years she has been nothing but a pure delight to my heart. Thank you, Geek. Now she is this amazingly beautiful woman, studying for her Master's Degree and is becoming the godly woman that God has created. I am the one blessed to know HER. I can't wait to see how the Lord works His plan in her life. Are you teared up at all yet, Geek? You really should get back to work, ya know. Thanks for all the laughter you bring to mine and PandaPop's life. You aren't a geek at all. You are an angel. (Now, don't get all theological on me. I know you aren't REALLY an angel, duh.) Love you, GEEK!

While You Were Sleeping...

It looks as though PandaGirl had a little party in her sleep. This is actually right before we (PP and I) went to bed. I always check on her one more time before getting into bed myself. We were laughing so hard trying to think of what she might have been up to when she just couldn't stay awake any longer. I guess we'll always wonder. Hmmm...

Winter Ice Storm

We were able to get out a bit and were even able to have lunch with some dear friends that were passing through town...on the ice. I was so upset that I didn't take my camera with me, because the ice that we saw on the trees along the roads were just phenomenal with sparkly glassy beauty. God is so creative.

100th POST!!!

Well, it happened about five posts ago, but it is still significant! I was planning on doing a cute 100th post, but forgot all about it. Oh well, the world will still go on, I'm sure. This blogging thing has really catapulted me into a whole new world. I love checking my blog daily....several times a day...and I enjoy getting comments. The fun varies from the banter between friends I already have, new blogging "friends", coming up with new things to "blog", finding cute pics or clip art to go along with the post and searching out new bloggers. There are so many endless things to search on this cyber place. I now have a blogging buddy from New York, Canada and Spain! How fun is that to a little ol' hick girl from Texas? Well, I wouldn't say I'm little or a hick, but everyone outside of Texas seems to think we all have horses and live on a ranch. I wish. Anyway, I can't wait to see what all happens with my blog in 2007. Who is there to meet? What am I going to post? I can't wait to get my custom blog up and running. Yes, I am actually paying $$$ to someone to customize a "space" for me. I love it so much and think of it as my cyber-scrapbook. Here's to many more postings!!!

Cabin Fever

For the past few days we have been cooped up in the house because of yuckie weather. Painting is always a huge hit with PandaGirl. She LOVES it! We have been loafing around watching movies, coloring, playing, reading and sleeping. Kind of a nice break from Go-Go Fever, but Cabin Fever can only last awhile and then we just HAVE to get out and DO something!

Spoiled???

Yeah. I think so.

Alphabet Meme

ABC...I've been tagged! Not really, but I wanted to post this anyway--haha

A - AVAILABLE OR TAKEN:100% Taken and celebrating 15yrs. of marriage this summer!

B - BEST FRIEND: PandaPop

C - CAKE OR PIE: rich chocolatey, chocolate cake with chocolate frosting...YUM! Oh, and a glass of milk!!

D- DRINK OF CHOICE: milk, water, iced sweet tea, Dr. Pepper, Caramel Frappuccino...depends on my mood so I can't choose just one

E - ESSENTIAL ITEM YOU USE EVERYDAY: besides all the givens like toothpaste, deodorant, glasses, etc. I'd have to say my computer!

F - FAVORITE COLOR: Hands down: RED (but I adore pink, too, just never together!)

G - GUMMY BEARS OR WORMS: worms in the black package where the worms are two colors on one worm and kinda sugar coated.

H - HOMETOWN: Waco, Texas (No, I never met David Koresh!)

I - INDULGENCE: 12hour scrapbooking crops with friends every now and then, a chocolate malt or a Frappuccino from Starbucks

J - JANUARY OR FEBRUARY: February....I love, love, love Valentine's Day, spring is just around the corner (at least in Texas it is) and most of all our precious PandaGirl's GOTCHA DAY is Feb. 2, 2004.

K - KID'S NAMES: PandaGirl.....seriously we have Zoe Noel Xiao and we are either going to have an Angela Hope or Spencer Wayne...we are still working on what path to take for adoption #2.

L - LIFE INCOMPLETE WITHOUT: my family, awesome friends and the hope of eternal life with my Maker

M - MARRIAGE DATE: August 22, 1992

N - NUMBER OF SIBLINGS: One brother, eight years older than me

O - ORANGES OR APPLES: a crispy fresh Gala apple

P - PHOBIAS OR FEARS: being a widow, I can't stand touching frosted glass....eeeewwwwweeee, snakes pretty much FREAK ME OUT!!!

Q - FAVORITE QUOTE: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full"-Jesus Christ...found in the book of John 10:10 in the Bible

R - REASON TO SMILE: My soul is saved eternally through the blood of Jesus Christ. My debt was paid. I have an eternity set for me in heaven. Hallelujah!!

S - SEASON: No question asked...FALL. I love it sooooo much! There are so many aspects to it: change in temperature, all the rich fall colors, pumpkins, the stores are gearing up for the holidays, football season, school starts up again, the smell of fires burning, caramel apples, long sleeves, the list is long!

T - TAG 3 PEOPLE: Not really sure how to "tag" someone so if you read this then do it too and let me know so I can come read all about YOU!

U - UNKNOWN FACT ABOUT ME: The summer before my senior year in high school I jumped off a 15-20 foot cliff by a rope into a river!! I am SUCH a chicken and this was TOTALLY out of my element!!!

V - VEGGIE I DON'T LIKE: raw tomatoes

W - WORST HABIT: Telling drivers how to drive or trying to brake for them or holding onto bars or just completely freaking out and being annoying while I am the passenger. Anyone who's allowed me in their car knows this is true....but they still love me...I hope. ; )

X - XRAYS: Is this a trick question? Do I like them or have I had them or what?

Y - YOUR FAVORITE FOOD: There is no way on this planet that I could choose ONE favorite. No way. But since there is one type of cuisine that I HAVE to have AT LEAST once a week then I must choose TEX-MEX. For anyone outside of Texas this is a staple here. It is Mexican food with a Texas flair. It can't be explained, just consumed. Though my friend on my link to HunanSpice is unlike ANY other Texan I have ever met (she doesn't care for it...is something WRONG with her??) most of us even CRAVE Tex-Mex. Gotta have it!

Z - ZODIAC: Virgo...I don't follow any astrological signs for myself....I think it's totally bunk, but I do make a big deal out the fact that our daughter was born in the year of the Horse in the Chinese Zodiac. Now for a double standard I love doing things to remember that zodiac calendar. HA!

Roller Coaster!!!

You'd think with the MAJOR roller coaster we were on while trying to get PandaGirl in our life that somehow we'd be used to it. Guess again. We are back on the swirly thing with this new round of adoption adventures. Our emotions have gone from up, down, twisting all around, jerked, pulled, thrilled, saddened, scared trying to know what our next steps are to be in building our family. I am choosing to NOT go into any detail just yet about what might be next on this little journey, but I CAN say that God is in control and that I just need to breathe and relax and let Him do things in His timing.

Pink Poodle Pajama Party!

Our friend at HunanSpice celebrated her 4th birthday on Friday with a Pink Poodle Pajama Party. Well, it wasn't a REAL pajama party sleepover....it was a mock one! The girls had on their pjs, sleeping bags, a cuddly to hold and watched the Strawberry Shortcake Princess movie while enjoying popcorn and cherry limeade. Before that they had hotdogs and PINK cupcakes. SpicyMom did such a great job on the party and the girls had a blast! I LOVE HAVING A GIRL!!!!!!! (Someone remind me of that when all the hormones rage through our home later!) ; )

That's my man!!!

PandaPop is so great with his hands! We need some new shelving in our office and he just went and bought the wood and built the thing!!! He loves doing productive things with his hands. Since his "line of work" being in ministry has countless and unseen outcomes of his effort it can get discouraging sometimes not "seeing" something come of his work. When he makes something from scratch then there is great satisfaction of making something from nothing. He is so good at what he does and I love him! This shelf is GORGEOUS in real life!

New Do!

A few months ago PandaGirl and I made a pinky-pact (pack?) together to keep growing our hair and not cut it. The other day she said, "I'm ready to get my hair cut. I want it short again." Since she looks so adorable no matter what and hair always grows back I let her do it. The first picture is the night before her haircut right after blow drying it after a bath. So beautiful. The next two pics are before/after shots at the salon. She's a cutie no matter what!

I'm Not Spoiled...I'm a Princess!

I used this little statement on a scrapbook page recently. PandaGirl is such a cutie with all her fantasy land of princesses and knights, and princes and all that sort of thing. She just LOVES to play princess. Since we found out about not going back to China for little sister I find that PandaPop and I seem to be spoiling our little princess just a wee bit more than usual. We still keep things in check and make her obey our rules, but I sure see her in a different light now. She literally might be our only daughter and we must enjoy every moment....Even if that means a little spoiling here and there. This is her new fluffy pink bath robe, new play shoes and the best of all....her new BELLE crown! OOO-LAH-LAH!

A Little Funny for My Girlfriends!

My best friend {link to Funderstorm} in the whole wide world (yes, I'm 36 and just used that preteen statement!) sent me this cartoon in a card through that thing called "mail". I opened it up and rolled on the floor laughing!!! Anyone even close to my age grew up calling flip flops "thongs". I can totally identify with this picture because it has only been within the past couple of years that I can say flip flops without first telling myself to NOT say thongs! Enjoy. ; )

To Be Held...

Natalie Grant sings a song called "Held" that was actually written by a friend of hers who wrote the lyrics after another friend and her husband had gone through years of miscarriages and infertility issues, finally had a baby and then that baby died at the age of two months from SIDS. I heard Natalie sing this at the Women of Faith Conference this past August. Tears were just flowing down my face. I have never experienced pain like losing a child and I never want to know that kind of pain, but I do know that in the midst of any amount of pain in my life that my Savior is always here to hold me and comfort me. There is something better awaiting those of us who believe that He is who He says He is and that He can do what He says He can do. I am identifying with this particular song right now because it finally hit me down deep that we aren't going back to China for our little girl. At least not anytime soon. I think my defense mechanism kicked in when I found out we couldn't go and I just got all worked up about moving on to the next thing. PandaPop was very hurt over the whole thing and I guess my subconscious just didn't want to deal with it at all. We are moving on, but I am not sure exactly what road to take. I know that God is in control. That doesn't stop the hurt though. He said that we'd have trials and tribulations while here on earth. I am aware of the countless blessings that He bestows on my life. I am truly grateful and tell Him so all the time. I just wonder sometimes why building our family is so difficult. I see others even those so close to me and wonder why they can have several kids and we struggle for one. Now two seems to be eluding us as well. I adore PandaGirl. She is perfect for us. I am just feeling very melancholy over the "loss" of dreams that were built around two little Asian girls. God is the Giver of all good things. He will take care of us. I believe that. Someone compiled this video montage with the song. I hope you are blessed as I was. I think we all want to be "held" at some time or another. Be blessed.