What Are The Chances?

That the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears would both end up in the Superbowl? Matt and Kevin were glued to the Colt's game last night, and Kevin said that Matt had a look of panic on his face most of the game until the end. It was an awesome game and proof that it's never over until it's over. Matt proudly wore his Colt's jersey to school today, and Brendan wore his Bear gear. Matt is brave . . . I hope he doesn't catch too much grief for wearing blue and white. Kevin's sister Kathleen swears we are all Bears fans at heart, but let me tell you, after living in Colt's country for 4 years, I don't know if that's the case. Indianapolis will always hold a special place in our hearts, and Colt's fever has a way of getting in your blood. Especially considering Matt was only 7 and Brendan was 5 when we moved there and that is really all they know. Brendan is more indifferent about the whole thing because he doesn't get into football the same way Matt does plus he knows his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins here are rooting for the Bears. This will be one intense Superbowl!

We had snow this weekend which the kids enjoyed playing in. Our backyard doesn't look pretty but has footprints and snowangels all over it along with a little igloo that Matt built. At least it's covering up the animal prints that we saw in the snow dusting this past week. What is it with us and animals? I hope it's only a bunny.




I joined the Chicago chapter of FCC (Families With Chinese Children) and discovered that they have a western suburbs playgroup and a western suburbs moms night out and book club too. We went to the playgroup one Monday morning at the DuPage Children's Museum. Ironically enough, I met another mom with a 2 year old daughter from the same orphanage as Kamryn. She was NOT there with the playgroup however. The weird thing about it is that her and I have emailed back and forth some through the orphanage yahoo group that we belong to. Pretty weird.

I went to the first book club night too and met more wonderful people like I did at the playgroup date. One of the moms of another almost 2 year old had Kamryn and I over to her house to play one day along with another mom of an almost two year old. I guess there are not a whole bunch of girls this age in these groups.

Brendan had his "friend" birthday party this past weekend. We went to the movies and then came back here for pizza and cake. It was a good time, and I was so thankful that we actually had friends to invite;) Had we moved to some new place, it would be a dreary birthday for him. Now he actually gets three celebrations since we can celebrate with both sides of the family and friends too. Two celebrations down, one more to go.


Go Colts! Go Bears!

Happy 2nd Birthday Kamryn!

Kamryn's birthday is January 14th. I can't believe a whole year has gone by already since her last birthday, but I can believe she is two because she definitely has that two year old spunk and attitude! She is so smart for two though (I think) and am so proud of her for repeating many words now. Although her brothers have taught her "mine" which I am not too pleased about. Sharing is a hard concept to teach anyway.

Speaking of sharing, Kamryn shares a birthday with her cousin Lauren (my sister's daughter) and with Lexi (my dear friend Sherri's daughter from China). January is such a big birthday month for our families. Kamryn's other cousin Maddie has a January 10th birthday. Then Brendan's is at the end of the month, Jan. 30th.


Grandpa and Grandma Dianne came in from Florida this weekend to help celebrate all the birthdays. We had a party at Marc and Cathy's house on Sunday and Saturday night we had my family over for cake and presents.

Only a two year old would get excited about the gift of cleaning supplies for her birthday! When Kamryn would spend time at Suzy and Anna Li's house, Kamryn and Anna Li would get out the brooms and help Suzy clean the floor. Well, I told Grandma Roloff that Kamryn would like a play broom set, and sure enough, she loves it. She's my little helper with everything. Good thing I only have a few more rooms to unpack.

This picture explains how I feel most days looking at the piles of boxes waiting to be unpacked! This has been a busy month with the holidays and a move wrapped all together. Sorry for the lack of posting here.

Before we moved, the moms of playgroup decided it would be "fun" to do something different with the girls in honor of all of their second birthdays either already recently celebrated or soon approaching. So we had this great idea to take them to a portrait studio to have their picture taken together. Well, it was much, much, much harder than we ever dreamed it would be. Of course we didn't have visions of complete cooperation, but it was a downright three ring circus to get 5 two years old to stay in the shot long enough for a picture let alone to smile and be happy.

So this picture was the winner. They are all unhappy. The red balloons we brought in didn't help one bit. The photographer did happen to get shots of the girls by themselves. This is Kamryn a bit happier.



Our last few weeks in Carmel were busy ones. Friends took us out for dinners, breakfasts and showered us with memorable Indy, Carmel and goodbye gifts. We feel truly blessed to have made such wonderful friends. This move is bittersweet because although we are glad to be back by family and friends, we are sad to leave our cozy, comfortable Carmel life and our friends there.

Christmas again this year was a blur because we were living out of suitcases and just running on the emotional drain of moving. Hmm, last year jet-lagged. Next year we hope to have a normal holiday season. I'll post pictures of Christmas soon I promise.

Our new house is wonderful although our movers here in Plainfield were terrible. We have damaged furniture but all that can be repaired. What upsets me the most is that they covered up the boo boo on Kamryn's dresser with an inventory sticker.

We accidently left our vacuum cleaner in the Carmel house, so Tuesday thankfully our friends Michele and her son Alec met me and the kids halfway. After all these years, there is finally somewhere fun to meet halfway. Fair Oaks Farms is this dairy farm that does tours and has interactive games and movies and an ice cream shop.

The boys started their new school today and both came home happy. Whew! I was so relieved. Two of my mom's sisters have been in town this week and helped tremendously with helping me get unpacked some. Mom, Dad and my friend Kris helped unpack too. It's nice to have extra hands to just fold the packing paper and condense boxes!

Thanking God for the blessings in my life. Happy New Year!