MEMORY BOX MONDAY

I have the most special posting this Monday about what is special in my memory box. When I was in 5th grade, it was such an exciting time as the Cabbage Patch dolls were storming the retail shops. My parents would wait in line for hours to get my sisters and I a doll, only to finally get told they had sold out for more money then my parents had to spend. I remember friends had their dolls before I did and it seemed so agonizing for the wait, but we were raised to be thankful and appreciative of what we had, so I never (remember) once whining to my parents about not having the most beautiful doll in the world. I can remember, not only did my mom want to get my two sisters and I a doll but she was particular on wanting the doll to resemble our hair color and facial features.

Finally after what seemed like an eternity my mom was able to find me a doll. I think she paid over $350 for this doll. I know she knew how much I loved my new doll, because I carried her everywhere with me, even getting a Cabbage Patch Horse for it eventually. It was by far the most special gift every purchased for me by my parents as a child.

I began the search for Jie a Cabbage Patch doll when we first made the decision to adopt and accepted her into our lives. I searched for almost two years when last Christmas I finally found the perfect doll for her.....it doesn't have her hair color, or resemble her in any way, but the reason I chose her baby doll was because it has Jie's exact Birthday of January 8th and it was wearing the EXACT same outfit as the doll my parents had purchased for me 25 years ago.

I couldn't believe how happy it made me and how perfect this Cabbage Doll was when I finally found it. Jie loves that we both have a doll with the same clothes on. My dolls name is Cicile Farrika and Jie's baby dolls name is Imogene Jessica. I will forever remember and keep these dolls in my heart. I wasn't really a doll girl when I was growing up, but my cabbage patch doll was the most special gift I carried on from my child hood and knew I wanted to give Jie something as special. Jie's doll baby is the one on the left and mine is the one on the right with blonde hair.

BASKETBALL.....WHOO HOO!

Basketball has finally began for Trayjan.....he had his first game on Saturday. He was able to participate some, but with just getting his little cast off on Thursday, he says his wrist is sore when he shoots.

We are excited to see his team this year, they are first graders and the game was pretty good. We did lose 32 - 24, but holy cow, that is alot of points for 6 and 7 year olds to score in a 30 min. game. Trayj wasn't able to play, so of course we think had he played it would have at least been tied. (LOL)! He could have scored 4 baskets easily!!!! Well, hopefully, he didn't practice most of the summer with his broken arm....oooops!

His Team is the ROCKETS! Whoo Hoo, Go Rockets!

Halloween Trick or Treating

Our kids loved dressing up and trick or treating this year. Trayjan has been so creative the last couple of years with his costumes, we are so proud of him. Last year he was a Zombie, the year before he was a Vampire, this year he has been a Medical Patient Zombie and on Halloween he wanted to be a Mummy, but he didn't want to buy a costume, he wanted to make his own. Of course we had a few costume malfunctions Halloween night, but all in all, he looked adorable.

Jie wanted to be Barney, I went against the idea up until Halloween day when I knew it was going to be cold and she would need a coat anyway. I really wanted her to look adorable, but she really wanted to be Barney. I even tried to tell her Barney was a boy not a girl, so she couldn't be Barney.....but she insisted she could be a boy and be Barney. To cute! Needless to say, she was so happy that mommy let her be Barney this year.

We had a wonderful night, eating at Trayjan's good friends house before we all headed off to Trick or Treat together. Lots of special memories.

Thankful Thursday

This I call to mind

and therefore I have hopes:

Because of the Lord's great

love we are not

consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

LAMENTATIONS 3:21-23

I am first most greatful to the Lord for giving me this earthly life, that one day I will rest with him. I'm so very thankful that he called upon me to be a Christian daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend. For all I do in this earthly life will prepare a place for me in my Father's Kingdom.

I'm thankful this Thursday for the Fall season. As a family we have the most fun in the Fall. We visit local farms (3 times already this Fall), we pick our own apples, decorate wonderful pumpkins, which the kids love to do. We get to enjoy outside without blazing heat. I have to say I just love living in Indiana and getting to see the changing of the seasons. It is so peaceful to watch how beautiful it is to see the first blooms of flowers, to watch the leaves change to bright oranges, reds and yellows, to anticipate the first snow and then to be blessed all over again the next year. Although some days are colder then I prefer, it is such a blessing to experience it all every year with my family.

I'm thankful that I do not have to work and can experience days like today with Field Trips and School parties with my kids. I couldn't imagine missing out on these fun days with the kids.

I'm very thankful for my bible time. I keep my bible in my car and get to read it each day for about 30 minutes while I'm waiting on Trayj to get out of school. I love that time that is all mine to devote to God with no interruptions.

MEMORY BOX MONDAY

I absolutely love a wonderful families blog that on Monday's posts a Memorial Box Monday posting. Memorial Box Monday is a post that represents something special from times past. I have been wanting to begin a Memorial Box posting and have finally taken the opportunity to do so.

I wanted to make my first posting about a lovely little box that everytime I see it, it brings such fun memories back. My husband and I traveled many years ago to Budapest Hungary to compete in a World Karate Championship. It was the most amazing time for us as we were in our mid 20's and very active in competitions. We were both ask to compete on the United States Team. We had the most amazing time as it was our first time leaving the country. This little box holds all the foreign money we kept from our trip and also from many other trips we have taken. We always make sure to keep little coins from our travels. Our little box has coins from Budapest, London, Japan, and China.

I think this beautiful little handmade box from Budapest reminds me of my younger days and how active I was for so many years. I love karate and LOVE competing and haven't done so since I was 7 months pregnant with my son (7 years ago). Each time I see this little box, it makes me want to compete again. I take great pride in the many State, National and World Championships I have earned over the 17 years I have been in Martial Arts. It holds such a special place in my heart. I began taking Karate in 1992 and absolutly loved how it made me feel about myself. It still makes me feel like I could take on the world. It has given me confidence to do so many things in my life. Karate takes a seat as one of my greatest loves in life, after God, and my Family.

WE HAVE AN AUTHOR ON OUR HANDS!

Trayjan has been writing his little books for a couple years now, but now that he is beginning to sound out words the books are getting better and longer. He has been a lover of Goosebumps stories for a few years, I think we have read about 30 of their books over the last couple of years. He especially loves any of Goosebumps books with Slappy the Ventriliquest Dummy in them. He even got a Slappy for his birthday last year. He really enjoys all Goosebumps books. On Sunday, he decided he wanted to write a Goosebumps story and ask me if I would be the illustrator....I said of course, so he began to write, then he decided we would share in writing as well. This is his final little book and he is very proud of his story.

Trick or Treating EARLY.....what a fun surprise!

Sunday morning Grandpa Terry called to let us know that the kids were welcome to come to trick or treat at he and Grandma Diane's campgrounds in the evening time. The kids of course were very excited to find out they can get dressed up and go trick or treating on the 4th day of October....how cool is that!

Jie loved getting dressed up as Snow White and her favorite part was mommy putting blue eye shadow on her. She thought she was BIG STUFF. Every morning when I put my light pink eye make up on she asks for me to put some on her. I always tell her she isn't big enough, but she can use my big brush and put some on her cheeks. Needless to say she was so very excited.

Trayjan decided to choose his outfit he wore for his surgery (thankfully the hospital told us we could take it home). He decided to be a Zombie Medical Patient. He loved getting to dress up so early and had a wonderful time.

Eli joined the fun and loved trick or treating with the kids. It was so much fun watching the 3 of them trick or treating. The campground was a great place to trick or treat. Everyone gave out awesome candy....and lots of it!!