Happy Chinese New Year!

We celebrated Chinese New Year, both at home with some friends and out at the Embassy Suites with other friends who adopted children through the same agency: GWCA (Great Wall China Adoptions). What a wonderful fun filled crazy weekend we had too. Our friend Pete came up from Ft. Lauderdale to celebrate with us, and Hannah stuck to him like glue. It is so hard to believe it has only been two years since we celebrated bringing Hannah home. (www.thehannahhomecoming.com) She fits into our Family perfectly with her silly sense of humor, and quick wit and giggles. She loves to tease, and also loves to be DRAMATIC. Harrison is so much more outgoing and communicative since having his sister around. She has been a miracle for our Family, and given us so much joy when we have needed it the most. Harrison and Hannah are the biggest blessings we have ever received, and give us center and purpose.

Our friends came and shared CNY Eve with us, & with their children. I am not sure who got louder us or the kids. But everyone seemed to enjoy themselves immensely. We had pot stickers, and fried rice, noodles & egg rolls, shrimp (can't find prawn around here), & Kung Pao Chicken. Then Beth made one of her famous cakes, and decorated it with tiger stripes (This year is the Year of the Tiger). The kids did arts & crafts, made fans & dragon wands & photo frames, while the adults helped in between lots of conversation and catching up. Red Envelopes were given to the children, the play room was well used, lots of laughter, and pictures were being taken all over the place.

That was Saturday.

On Sunday we joined the group who adopted through GWCA (Great Wall China Adoption) to celebrate the New Year together. Over 100 strong, it was so much fun to see the children interacting and playing together. It was another load and boisterous gathering, with fancy outfits & more Chinese Food. One of the group is a DJ whose family has adopted a couple of children from China, and he really is entertaining. Lots of dancing and limbo and conga lines with the kids. There was a beautiful photo montage made by one of the other Families with all of our China adopted children's Gotcha Day information and photos, along with some heart wrenching music. Most Mom's could be seen dabbing their eyes as they watched.

The best part was the silent auction. Many Families and businesses had donated things to be auctioned. All of the proceeds went to LWB (Love Without Boundaries), to help their cause (nonprofit) in China. They have nutrition programs, surgery programs, and other assistance that they give through the CCAA in China. They have truly performed miracles for many children that would not have gotten this care otherwise. Many of whom would have died without it. Such a worthy cause to support. What a weekend! Now I need to get back to work to get a breather!