Mei Mei Reunion 2017

For the past ten years sometime during the summer, we get together with some very special people. (We only missed one ~ the year Beth and Anna got married). This special treat has been labeled "Mei Mei Reunion". During this reunion we come together at various home towns of families that traveled to China together. Most of our girls are from the same orphanage. We share an incredible bond with the parents and girls. Abbey adores this time together with her "China Sisters".

This year the weekend of June 23rd, we traveled to Lexington, Kentucky to the Etter's (Dana, Paul, Lucas and Brooke).

The cranes that John sells are manufactured in Lexington, so he arranged for us to take a tour of the factory. A couple of families joined us for the tour.

That evening we had pizza at the Etter's house. Their son, Lucas, was a previous world champion of Rubics Cube. He has a certificate from the Guinness Book of World Records.

The girls (and Elijah), were constantly asking him to solve cubes. He was such a good sport, he'd oblige them every time. It was amazing how quickly he could solve it. His mom said he had over 1000 algorithms in his head to solve it.
Abbey and Elijah wanted to get their picture made with him.

Elijah also loves going to these reunions. He has a very special friend, Emma, a little sister to one of Abbey's China sisters. They also share a bond, like their sisters. I really think Emma is a gift from God for Elijah. Every year they do their own thing.

Emma was doing her own gymnastics along with Elijah here.

Saturday morning we went to the Kentucky Horse park. The weather was beautiful and the place was very interesting.

There was lots of time for the girls to talk.

Elijah couldn't quite muster it enough to ride a horse.

Look at the happiness on those precious faces. They so enjoy each other.

After the horse park, we all went swimming at the hotel pool.

Then it was off to a Chinese restaurant, then ice cream.

On the way to the hotel several girls rode in our car. They realized they all knew the same hand claps. It was fun to hear the laughs that ensued.

Then we went back to the hotel, took lots of photos. The girls have a tradition of watching a movie in someone's room. Since we couldn't fit everyone around the computer, we commandeered a hotel meeting room and the girls watched "Trolls"

What a crew!! I love these folks.

They can be crazy!

 and make me laugh like none other!

The morning before we left, we met a Panera and shared breakfast. Although, not easy, it was time for goodbyes.

Such a gift from God!

 All of us talk about how amazing it is to only see folks once a year and be able to continue as if we'd only been apart for a little while. We shared a wonderful, miraculous time in China and that bond is wonderfully, miraculously strong!

Elijah's Wishes

Elijah prematurely lost his front teeth. The first one fell out as a result of crowding and then the second one was knocked out as he took the wrong way off of a scooter and his face smacked onto a driveway. (His first worry when that happened was that he wouldn't be able to have the tooth for the tooth fairy. Abbey was able to find the tooth in the bushes).

Because they were lost early, his teeth have been verrrry slow to grow back. They've been out for over a year now.

The other night while we were eating dinner at the beach house, Elijah stated, " If I had wishes I'd wish for two things....that there would be no more orphans and that I could have my teeth grow back in!"

Such a sweet heart this boy of mine has! I'm so proud of his tender heart and although he looks cute as can be without his front teeth, I hope they grow in soon for him!!

Last zoo club and Hurricane Hunters Aircraft-May

We had our last zoo club meeting at the zoo. Since Anna now lives in Winston Salem, I asked if they could join us.

The girls blended in and joined our class on chimpanzees very well.

A couple of weeks later, Anna and the girls stayed with us while Layne had multiple practices for her upcoming dance recital. I had read about the "hurricane hunter's aircraft" that would be on display along with other displays regarding weather forecasting. Despite being quite pregnant, Anna agreed to go. If she had only known....

It was really hot and the line was really, really, really long! But she was a trooper and pushed through.  We got to see the airplane, talk to the pilots, see the weather exhibits and go into the airplane.

Not really sure if it was worth the wait, but it definitely is something that not many folks get to do.

I was just happy to have 2 of my grand babies for a few hours, I didn't mind the heat or the wait! (wink, wink)