Shu Shu is so excited about being a "Big Sister". Today her pre-school teacher, Miss Darlene, blessed us with a beautiful handmade quilt for Jie Jie and gave Shu this card and two books to read on the plane. It was so thoughtful of her. Big brother Drew came over to have dinner with us and said "Hi, little sister" when he walked in. She told him . ."I'm not a little sister I am a Big Sister!" . . . too cute!

We are all ready to go, just need to get to bed so we can catch that early morning flight! Next post will be from "China with Love"!

P.S. Big Bird is coming to China with us!

Welcome to our Blog!

Hello, and welcome to our Blog! I have been wanting to have a blog for a long time for family and friends to check in on us from time to time and finally with the help of Tina from "The Story of You" my dream has become a reality! We will be leaving for China in 2 short days and the reality of it all is finally setting in. We cannot wait for our "Forever Family" day when we will meet our second daughter for the first time! This blog is for "life with Shu Shu and Jie Jie" but since Jie hasn't officially joined our family yet I will catch you up with what Shu's been up to since January! (That is when I wanted to start our blog!)

January 2009

We started the year taking a vacation to Florida and a Disney Cruise to the Virgin Islands. One of the best vacations of our lives! Here are some pictures of the "highlights" of our trip.

Hanging out with our favorite "Floridians"

The Rizzo Family! Shu Shu and Sophia

Jie Jie and Sophia's birthdays are March 30 & March 31st!

Shu Shu meets Cinderella!

Being shy with Snow White!

Fun on St. Thomas! Maegan's Bay

Disney's Island-Castaway Cay!

"Has anyone seen Daddy?"

Now that's someone who has had a great vacation!

On January 9th we were on the beach having a great time. . . . . . . .on January 11th we arrived home to this!

You learn to shovel snow at a young age when you live in Ohio!

February 2009

In February we celebrated Chinese New Year with our local FCC chapter and at Shu Shu's preschool/daycare. Aunt J. sent gifts to celebrate the "Year of the Ox"!

March 2009

We met up with our friends Holli, Kyia and Lily for lunch in March! I met Holli through an e-mail she sent me when we traveled to Hubei in 2006 to bring Shu Shu home. Her daughter Kyia is also from Hubei and the two of them resemble each other so much we think they are related. When we got our referral we could not believe that Jie Jie was from Guangxi . . . .her second daughter Lily is also from Guangxi and the two of them resemble each other as well! Holli is also a Christian. We think God brought us all together for a reason and has an amazing plan for these four girls!

Kyia & Shu Shu

Kyia & Lily

Our three beauties!

April 2009

April was spent celebrating Easter and preparing to bring Jie Jie home at last!

Making candy for Big Brother Drew's students!